What is the Patent Application Locating and Monitoring (PALM) system used for in patent term adjustment?
The Patent Application Locating and Monitoring (PALM) system is a crucial tool used by the USPTO in determining patent term adjustment (PTA). As stated in MPEP 2733:
“The Office makes the patent term adjustment determination by a computer program that uses the information recorded in the Office’s Patent Application Locating and Monitoring (PALM) system.”
The PALM system serves several important functions in PTA calculation:
- Tracks key dates and events throughout the patent application process
- Records USPTO actions and applicant responses
- Calculates delays attributable to the USPTO and the applicant
- Provides data for the automated PTA calculation
By utilizing the PALM system, the USPTO can efficiently and accurately determine the appropriate patent term adjustment for each application.
To learn more:
Topics:
Adjustments,
And Extensions,
MPEP 2700 - Patent Terms,
MPEP 2733 - Patent Term Adjustment Determination,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure