USPTO to Expedite Patent Issuance

The US Patent and Trademark Office has announced that it will reduce the wait time on patent Issue Dates from three weeks to one week, beginning on May 13, 2025.

The USPTO’s goal is to allow earlier protection of inventions and meet the demand for patent holders to bring their innovations to the marketplace faster. The Office also hopes the shortened time period between the Issue Notification and the Issue Date will reduce the number of patent applicants that will be required to file a Quick Path Information Disclosure Statement.

The USPTO credits its modernization efforts for the reduction in time. These include efforts to reduce or eliminate overlap in their processes and publishing Electronic Grants on Patent Center. 

The USPTO states that “Continuing applications should be filed before the payment of the issue fee to ensure copendency” per the MPEP 211.01(b)(I).”. They have also stated that an Issuance might happen prior to the Issue Notification being received for those applicants that have chosen not to participate in the USPTO’s e-Office Action Program.

The new, shortened, timeline has been viewed mostly in a positive light, however, there is a risk imposed to the deadlines when filing continuation applications. In order to ensure copendency, don’t wait until the Issue Notification has been received, continuation applications should now be filed at the same time as the issue fee payment.

The attorneys at Renner Otto will continue to monitor this and other changes at the USPTO. We strive to be authorities in all matters concerning the ever-evolving landscape of Intellectual Property; however, the information provided on our website is not intended to be legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship.

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