The PTO announced a pilot program to speed review of patent applications for green technologies. A pending application can be advanced in the review queue if the application falls within any of several pre-approved technologies and if the applicant submits a petition to ‘make the application special.’ The PTO is waiving petition fees for the pilot program.
The ‘green technologies’ addressed include hydroelectric, solar, wind, renewable biomass, geothermal, and municipal solid waste, as well as the transmission and distribution of electrical energy from these sources. Also addressed are technologies for reduction of energy consumption and technologies for improvements to fossil fuel power generation, including reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The pilot program is limited to the first 3000 applicants. The full announcement appears at 74 Fed. Reg. 64666.
— Robert J. Yarbrough, Esq.