User:Drbrowns/sandbox/AIA

The AIA is an abbreviation for the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, patent reform legislation signed into law on September 16, 2011. This example wiki page is an attempt to show how a wiki can be used to help us prosecute applications more effectively.

Implementation of the AIA began immediately upon its enactment on September 16, 2011 when some of its provisions became effective. Other significant provisions took effect on September 16, 2012. The final set of major changes, including the first-to-file changes, will occur on March 16, 2013.

September 16, 2011 Provisions
Provisions that took effect immediately upon signing included elimination of best mode violations as a defense to patent infringement... (insert other things)

September 16, 2012 Provisions
On the one year anniversary of AIA, provisions taking effect included changes to oath/declaration practice and inter partes review.

Oaths and Declarations
The language required in an oath or declaration changed for applications filed on or after September 16, 2012.

Application Data Sheets
Application data sheets are highly recommended for applications filed on or after September 16, 2012. The following changes have been made to the form:
 * Priority claims must be made in an ADS
 * Authorization for access by a foreign office are now granted in an ADS
 * ADSs must be signed by a patent practitioner
 * Revised ADSs need only include changed portions

March 16, 2013 Provisions
Applications filed on or after March 16, 2013 will be subject to AIA's first-to-file provisions. The USPTO has published several notices of proposed rulemaking describing how it intends to implement these changes.

Best Practices
This is a place for our attorneys to establish a set of consensus best practices for dealing with the AIA and its changes.

First to Invent versus First to File
Some strategies to talk about here include:
 * What to do before 3/16/13
 * What to tell clients
 * How to get our practice ready

Forms
There are different versions of different forms to use depending on factors like when the application was filed.

Declaration
Discussion here about what to do and when.

ADS
More discussion.