Patent Prosecution

On Jan 15-17, 2023, D.C. partner and deputy chair of the intellectual property group, Bob Stoll, participated in the Naples Conference in Naples, Florida as part of the Leahy Institute of Advanced Patent Studies. Bob spoke during the first panel of the conference titled "Patent Prosecution: Proposals for Reforming 'Prep and Pros' for the 21st Century." Bob's detailed proposal calls for revamping the patent fee schedule to more fairly distribute the costs of examination and to drive desired behaviors. The current director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, who was in attendance with about a hundred invitation-only experts, said that she was beginning the process to re-examine the fee schedule, and indicated she would closely consider Bob's proposal.