Exclusive: Green Patent Program Widened Under New Rule Change

The U.S. PTO has published an important change to its Green Patent program which should allow more patent applications to qualify for the program. The revision addresses complaints from inventors that the pilot program, which expedites the processing of patent applications pertaining to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other “green” uses, was too narrowly defined. Finnegan partner Eric Raciti explained that although the Green Patents program was created as part of the Obama administration’s efforts to expand the green business sector, the hurdles to qualify earned the program a reputation as little more than a “political gesture.”