USPTO To Improve U.S. Patent System
Announced on March 26, 2014, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) launched a new Glossary Pilot Program in its efforts to strengthen the U.S. patent system. As part of a series of executive actions issued by the Obama administration in June 2013, the USPTO was tasked to bring about a greater transparency to the patent system. One of those actions charged was to identify ways to improve claim clarity in the specifications of software-related patent applications. The pilot program, which will begin on June 2 and run through December 31, 2014, is designed to enhance claim clarity by requiring applicants to include a glossary section in the patent application specification to define terms used in the patent claims.
Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the USPTO Michelle Lee noted the importance of patents having clearly defined boundaries to help avoid future infringements, and expensive and unnecessary litigations.
