USPTO to host America Invents Act roadshows
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will host a series of roadshows in an attempt to increase understanding of changes to the US patent system following the inception of the America Invents Act (AIA), the office has said.
The public meetings, which will start on September 16, will provide an opportunity for experts and stakeholders to discuss the First Inventor to File (FITF) provisions of the act.
Implemented in March 2013, the act made changes to both the patent application and prosecution systems.
In particular, it brought in a switch from the first-to-invent system to a FITF system.
Previously, when two people claimed the same invention, the office would initiate proceedings to review evidence of conception, reduction to practice and diligence.
In a statement, the USPTO said it wanted to “broaden public knowledge” of the FITF provisions and assist understanding of the administrative processes to aid inventors and their representatives.
The roadshows will take place between September 16 and October 9, 2014.
There will be meetings in Concord, New Hampshire; Madison, Wisconsin; Dallas, Texas; Silicon Valley, California and Atlanta, Georgia, as well as on USPTO campuses in Alexandria, Virginia, and Denver, Colorado.
The events are free and open to the public.
