USPTO New Accelerated Review Process

Intron writes "Perhaps you have been lying awake worrying that your software patent on bubble sort might spend too much time being "examined" or "peer reviewed". You will be pleased to know that the US Patent and Trademark Office has launched their accelerated review process. "Applicants' submissions enjoy a presumption of patentability" says the patent office. Applicants are also responsible for disclosing any prior art."

Comments

Re:This is new?

[theantipop]

32 USC 101:

Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.

Yes it does seem the PTO operates under the presumption of patentability because that's they way the law is written. Everyone around here likes to fancy themselves such experts on our patent system, when they really have no idea how any part of the examination process works. If you really want to feel qualified to rail on the PTO, please feel free to read up on the MPEP which details the prosecution of every given patent application. If you manage to sift through to relevant sections, you will also notice it is standard operating procedure for the applicant to provide known art. It is known as an Information Disclosure Sheet and is merely a supplemental tool the examiner must consider during prosecution.