On the fifth anniversary of the Leahy Smith America Invents Act of 2011, the U.S. PTO has still failed to eliminate unnecessary procedures that slow down filings. This is so critical in the real world of first-to-file versusthe streamlined requirements in Asia and Europe where an earlier effective filing date is routinely achieved: Overseas applicants gain a competitive priority edge in the United States.
Letter to the Patent Community: The pdf version of this note includes an attachment that explains the problem and what can be done by the American patent community.
Regards,
Hal
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