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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Tags: accelerated examination, design patent, Eligibility, patent application, Utility Patent