What are the eligibility requirements for the Accelerated Examination program?
To be eligible for the Accelerated Examination program, an application must meet the following criteria:
- Be a non-reissue utility or design application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) on or after August 25, 2006
- Not be a plant application, reissue application, national stage application, reexamination proceeding, or RCE (unless previously granted special status)
- Not be based on applicant’s health, age, or participation in the Patent Prosecution Highway pilot program
As stated in the MPEP: “Any non-reissue utility or design application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) on or after August 25, 2006 is eligible for the accelerated examination program.”
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