Comments on: The Problem with the PTO Pilot Program to Accelerate Examination of “Green Technologies” http://tacticalip.com/2010/01/27/the-problem-with-the-pto-pilot-program-to-accelerate-examination-of-green-technologies/ Tactically Relevant. Patently Entertaining. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:19:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Being Green Isn’t Easy – Green Technology Pilot Program Extended for Free Accelerated Patent Examination | TacticalIP.com http://tacticalip.com/2010/01/27/the-problem-with-the-pto-pilot-program-to-accelerate-examination-of-green-technologies/#comment-958 Being Green Isn’t Easy – Green Technology Pilot Program Extended for Free Accelerated Patent Examination | TacticalIP.com Mon, 08 Nov 2010 23:17:58 +0000 http://tacticalip.com/?p=754#comment-958 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> By: markmalek http://tacticalip.com/2010/01/27/the-problem-with-the-pto-pilot-program-to-accelerate-examination-of-green-technologies/#comment-155 markmalek Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:27:10 +0000 http://tacticalip.com/?p=754#comment-155 Thanks Darryl - Gene is definitley onto something with an enhanced IT system. It can probably make searches a lot more reliable (and quicker), thereby giving examiners the tools they need to be more efficient. Thanks Darryl – Gene is definitley onto something with an enhanced IT system. It can probably make searches a lot more reliable (and quicker), thereby giving examiners the tools they need to be more efficient.

]]> By: Darryl http://tacticalip.com/2010/01/27/the-problem-with-the-pto-pilot-program-to-accelerate-examination-of-green-technologies/#comment-154 Darryl Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:54:29 +0000 http://tacticalip.com/?p=754#comment-154 I've read Mr Quinn's comments with regards to this issue and I find it really strange that Congress determines the USPTO's budget. For any organisation to function effectively, it needs to be able to determine and prioritize its spending... Mr Quinn also made a remarkable insight that a better IT system would certainly expedite the application/examination process. Sounds like a small improvement with an expotentially effective result! Please keep up your posts, Mark. I read this site frequently as it provides me with latest IP news in a easily-digestable format. I dislike reading arcane legalese that are so prevalent in some other IP blogs. Darryl I’ve read Mr Quinn’s comments with regards to this issue and I find it really strange that Congress determines the USPTO’s budget. For any organisation to function effectively, it needs to be able to determine and prioritize its spending… Mr Quinn also made a remarkable insight that a better IT system would certainly expedite the application/examination process. Sounds like a small improvement with an expotentially effective result!

Please keep up your posts, Mark. I read this site frequently as it provides me with latest IP news in a easily-digestable format. I dislike reading arcane legalese that are so prevalent in some other IP blogs.

Darryl

]]> By: markmalek http://tacticalip.com/2010/01/27/the-problem-with-the-pto-pilot-program-to-accelerate-examination-of-green-technologies/#comment-153 markmalek Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:19:54 +0000 http://tacticalip.com/?p=754#comment-153 Darryl - thanks for your comment. Your make very good points. Training has forever been an issue at the PTO, as I have been told by some former Examiners. One of the most interesting comments that I have heard was that the PTO should send their examiners to the same type of courses that aspiring patent attorneys go to. I hear they are much better than the training done at the PTO. The best course I know about is taught by Gene Quinn at IPWatchdog through PLI. http://www.pli.edu/patentcenter/patentbarreview/pbr_detail.asp?id=72939. There certainly is a natural attrition rate, but I believe it is because the Examiners are not offered the right types of incentives. The initiative to hire ex-patent examiners is a great one, and may help. The best point you make, however, is about the budget. I believe that since the PTO raises its own funds, it should be allowed to reinvest a greater portion of those funds back into the system to improve it. Congress has not figured that out yet, but I have high hopes for the Mr. Duddas and believe he may just be able to turn things around over time. Thanks again for taking the time to read our posts. Darryl – thanks for your comment. Your make very good points. Training has forever been an issue at the PTO, as I have been told by some former Examiners. One of the most interesting comments that I have heard was that the PTO should send their examiners to the same type of courses that aspiring patent attorneys go to. I hear they are much better than the training done at the PTO. The best course I know about is taught by Gene Quinn at IPWatchdog through PLI. http://www.pli.edu/patentcenter/patentbarreview/pbr_detail.asp?id=72939.
There certainly is a natural attrition rate, but I believe it is because the Examiners are not offered the right types of incentives. The initiative to hire ex-patent examiners is a great one, and may help. The best point you make, however, is about the budget. I believe that since the PTO raises its own funds, it should be allowed to reinvest a greater portion of those funds back into the system to improve it. Congress has not figured that out yet, but I have high hopes for the Mr. Duddas and believe he may just be able to turn things around over time. Thanks again for taking the time to read our posts.

]]> By: Darryl http://tacticalip.com/2010/01/27/the-problem-with-the-pto-pilot-program-to-accelerate-examination-of-green-technologies/#comment-152 Darryl Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:51:54 +0000 http://tacticalip.com/?p=754#comment-152 Perhaps the most obvious solution would be to hire more examiners, as you suggested. I'm not thoroughly familiar with the patent examination system in the US, but I guess there are other factors at play such as: 1) the neccessary training (of which I think would be pretty substantial in a field like this). 2) natural attrition rate (affects all organisations), certainly measures could be taken to curb this. 3) and as I read somewhere, the initiative to re-hire ex-patent examiners could well be stepped up. Of course, all these boils down to the question of availability of funding. Maybe the real solution is simply just to lobby for a budget increase. Perhaps the most obvious solution would be to hire more examiners, as you suggested.

I’m not thoroughly familiar with the patent examination system in the US, but I guess there are other factors at play such as:

1) the neccessary training (of which I think would be pretty substantial in a field like this).

2) natural attrition rate (affects all organisations), certainly measures could be taken to curb this.

3) and as I read somewhere, the initiative to re-hire ex-patent examiners could well be stepped up.

Of course, all these boils down to the question of availability of funding. Maybe the real solution is simply just to lobby for a budget increase.

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