Accelerated Examination filings are becoming increasingly useful to practitioners.  For many who order this research from Express Search, client goals demand attempts at expedition on prosecution.

There are, however, alternatives uses to Accelerated Examination.  Like the ’Petition to Make Special’, issues such as illness or advanced age of inventor, national security, or some qualifying greentechnologies can enable expedited examination by the USPTO and other various international patent offices.

Additionally, another alternative is as a testing ground for PCT filing.  As PCT filings are expensive and budgets are tight, one may file the US application as an Accelerated Examination filing.  As there is a one year spread between filing the US application and filing the subsequent PCT application, initial discussions with a USPTO Examiner on an Accelerated Examination can indicate how likely allowance of a US patent will be, and thus determine the likelihood of gaining a PCT application.

Some practitioners are filing Continuations with Accelerated Examination petitions.  As it is not permissible to file an Accelerated Examination for an existing application, using the expedition petition on a subsequent continuation has become useful.  Certain qualifying patent applications currently in process may be well served by filing a continuation with an Accelerated Examination petition, in the hopes of expediting the entire case.

Express Search has had significant success with Accelerated Examination research and preparation.  Contact us to discuss your needs regarding examination expedition at 703-535-5455 or visit our website at http://www.expresssearch.com.