USPTO Announces Proposed Rules and Examination Guidelines Regarding the First-Inventor-to-File Provisions of the America Invents Act (AIA)

On Thursday, July 26, 2012, the USPTO announces publication of the following proposed rules and examination guidelines regarding the first-inventor-to-file provisions of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA):

Changes to Implement the First Inventor to File Provisions of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act

Examination Guidelines for Implementing the First-Inventor-to-File Provisions of the Leahy-Smith American Invents Act

The first-inventor-to-file provision converts the United States from a "first-to-invent" to a "first-inventor-to-file" system. The proposed rules and proposed examination guidelines amend the rules of practice to implement the conversion and set forth the Office's interpretation of how the conversion impacts sections of the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure related to novelty and obviousness.

Public comment period runs until October 5, 2012.