The United States Patent and Trademark Office will cease accepting requests for accelerated examination procedures for invention patent applications starting from July 10th

On June 9th, the United States Patent and Trademark Office published a notice on its official website, announcing:Starting from July 10, 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will cease accepting requests for accelerated examination programs for invention patent applications.The accelerated examination procedure will continue to apply to design patent applications, as there is currently no alternative expedited examination procedure available.

The specific content is translated as follows:

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will terminate the accelerated examination process for invention patent applications

Starting from July 10, 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will cease accepting requests for accelerated examination programs for invention patent applications. The accelerated examination procedure will continue to apply to design patent applications, as there is currently no alternative expedited examination procedure available.

The termination of the accelerated examination procedure for invention patent applications aims to release examination resources, concentrate on handling the backlog of unexamined invention patent cases, and support the overall goal of shortening the patent waiting period of this office. According to statistics, during the fiscal years of 2014 to 2024, the average annual number of applications for the accelerated review process was less than 100, and its utilization rate showed a continuous downward trend.

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1、 Rule Summary

In order to efficiently allocate examination related resources to address the backlog of pending applications, and given the small number of requests for accelerated examination and the existence of a statutory procedure (Track One, priority examination) to expedite patent application processing, USPTO has decided to discontinue the accelerated examination program in invention patent applications and modify its practice rules to clarify the reasons for granting special processing petitions and fee requirements.

2、 Background information

The USPTO regulation (37 CFR 1.102) allows for early examination of patent applications based on "special processing petitions". In 2006, USPTO implemented an accelerated review program, allowing eligible applications to be reviewed in advance by submitting special processing petitions. However, the Track One priority review process implemented in 2011 provided a more convenient pathway for priority review, resulting in a significant decrease in participation in the accelerated review program.

3、 Details of Rule Revision

1. Stop the accelerated review plan

Due to the low usage rate of the accelerated examination program and the popularity of the Track One program, USPTO has decided to discontinue the accelerated examination program in invention patent applications. This plan will continue to apply to design patent applications, as there is currently no alternative expedited examination procedure for design patent applications.

2. Revision of practical rules

Reason for removing special treatment without cost: Remove the provision in 37 CFR 1.102 (c) (2) that allows special treatment to be obtained without cost for inventions that significantly improve environmental quality, promote energy resource development and utilization, or combat terrorism.

Clarify the reasons for special treatment that do not require fees: Amend 37 CFR 1.102 (c) to clarify that special treatment petitions may be based on the age or health condition of the inventor or co inventor and do not require payment of fees, to reflect changes in the Leahy Smith American Inventors Act (AIA).