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Prosecution First Blog

Finnegan's Prosecution First Blog provides news and information about patent prosecution practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

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Adriana L. Burgy: Partner; Washington, DC; +1 202 408 4345; Email

Jeffrey A. Berkowitz: Partner; Reston, VA; +1 571 203 2710; Email

Shawn S. Chang: Of Counsel; Atlanta, GA; +1 404 653 6455; Email

Rachael P. Dippold, Ph.D.: Associate; Washington, DC; +1 202 408 4063; Email

Elizabeth D. Ferrill: Partner; Washington, DC; +1 202 408 4445; Email

Anthony A. Hartmann: Of Counsel; Washington, DC; +1 202 408 4275; Email

Matthew J. Hlinka: Partner; Washington, DC; +1 202 408 4333; Email

Kelly S. Horn: Of Counsel; Washington, DC; +1 202 408 4313; Email

Jeffrey M. Jacobstein: Partner; Boston, MA; +1 617 646 1664; Email

Christopher C. Johns: Partner; Washington, DC; +1 202 408 4155; Email

Amanda K. Murphy, Ph.D.: Partner; London; +44 (0)20 7864 2814; Email

Anthony C. Tridico, Ph.D.: Partner; Washington, DC; +1 202 408 4173; Email

Naoki Yoshida: Partner; Washington, DC; +1 202 408 6057; Email

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Recent Insights in Prosecution First Blog

Prosecution First Blog

USPTO Tightens “Unintentional Delay” Petitions — 1-Year Time Period Now Triggers Heightened Scrutiny USPTO Tightens “Unintentional Delay” Petitions — 1-Year Time Period Now Triggers Heightened Scrutiny

June 23, 2026

Prosecution First Blog

USPTO Introduces AI-Assisted Prior Art Search: Key Details for Applicants USPTO Introduces AI-Assisted Prior Art Search: Key Details for Applicants

November 4, 2025

Prosecution First Blog

USPTO’s Streamlined Claim Set Pilot Program: Accelerating Patent Approvals USPTO’s Streamlined Claim Set Pilot Program: Accelerating Patent Approvals

November 4, 2025

Prosecution First Blog

Prosecution Pointer 432 Prosecution Pointer 432

June 11, 2025

Prosecution First Blog

Prosecution Pointer 431 Prosecution Pointer 431

May 28, 2025

Prosecution First Blog

Prosecution Pointer 430 Prosecution Pointer 430

May 21, 2025

Prosecution First Blog

Impact of a Later-Filed Sequence Listing on a PCT’s Filing Date Impact of a Later-Filed Sequence Listing on a PCT’s Filing Date

March 28, 2025

Prosecution First Blog

Changes to USPTO Patent Fees for 2025 Changes to USPTO Patent Fees for 2025

January 6, 2025

Prosecution First Blog

Prosecution Pointer 429 Prosecution Pointer 429

November 6, 2024

Prosecution First Blog

Prosecution Pointer 428 Prosecution Pointer 428

October 24, 2024

Prosecution First Blog

Prosecution Pointer 427 Prosecution Pointer 427

October 18, 2024

Prosecution First Blog

No More AFCP 2.0! No More AFCP 2.0!

October 11, 2024

Prosecution First Blog

Prosecution Pointer 426 Prosecution Pointer 426

October 9, 2024

Prosecution First Blog

USPTO’s First-Time Filer Expedited Examination Pilot Program USPTO’s First-Time Filer Expedited Examination Pilot Program

August 16, 2024

Prosecution First Blog

Prosecution Pointer 425 Prosecution Pointer 425

July 31, 2024

Prosecution First Blog

Prosecution Pointer 424 Prosecution Pointer 424

July 24, 2024

Prosecution First Blog

The USPTO’s “Experimental Use Exception Request for Comments” The USPTO’s “Experimental Use Exception Request for Comments”

July 12, 2024

Prosecution First Blog

Inherently Obvious: What is Happening? Inherently Obvious: What is Happening?

July 5, 2024

Prosecution First Blog

Inherency Remains High Bar to Meet Inherency Remains High Bar to Meet

June 21, 2024

Prosecution First Blog

Prosecution Pointer 422 Prosecution Pointer 422

June 20, 2024

Prosecution First Blog

Prosecution Pointer 421 Prosecution Pointer 421

June 12, 2024

Prosecution First Blog

Filing of Plant Applications in USPTO’s Patent Center Appears to Have Taken Root Filing of Plant Applications in USPTO’s Patent Center Appears to Have Taken Root

June 7, 2024

Prosecution First Blog

USPTO Issues Proposed Rulemaking Notice Relating to Terminal Disclaimer Practice USPTO Issues Proposed Rulemaking Notice Relating to Terminal Disclaimer Practice

May 10, 2024

Prosecution First Blog

Means-Plus-Function and Step-Plus-Function Claim Limitations (35 U.S.C. 112(f)): Memo to Examiners from the USPTO Means-Plus-Function and Step-Plus-Function Claim Limitations (35 U.S.C. 112(f)): Memo to Examiners from the USPTO

May 3, 2024

Prosecution First Blog

Prosecution Pointer 420 Prosecution Pointer 420

May 1, 2024