USPTO's 'Humanity Programs' Need Your Input on Invention Rewards
Published Date: 4/11/2025
Notice
Summary
The USPTO is asking for approval to keep collecting info for its Patents and Trademarks for Humanity Programs, which reward cool inventions that help people. This update affects inventors and businesses who participate, aiming to keep paperwork easy and clear. You’ve got a little extra time—30 more days—to share your thoughts before the final green light.
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Document
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16744, Request for Comments on Community Outreach Office Locations in the Southwest States
The USPTO wants your ideas on where to open new community outreach offices in the Southwest states like Arizona and Texas. These offices will help inventors, small businesses, and students get better support with patents. Share your thoughts by September 16, 2026, so the USPTO can pick the best spots and keep innovation booming without extra costs to you!
2026-16315, Administrative Updates to the General Requirements Bulletin for Admission to the Examination for Registration To Practice in Patent Cases Before the United States Patent and Trademark Office
Starting August 11, 2026, the USPTO is upgrading Biomedical Science degrees from Category B to Category A for patent bar eligibility. This means more people with this degree can now take the patent exam and become patent practitioners. No extra fees or delays—just a smoother path for those with the right science background to join the patent world!
2026-14939, Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 8,877,798; Centanafadine Hydrochloride
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical got a one-year extra patent life for their drug centanafadine hydrochloride because the FDA review is still going on. This means their patent, which was set to expire on July 25, 2026, now lasts until July 25, 2027. This extension helps Otsuka keep exclusive rights to their drug a bit longer while waiting for final FDA approval.
2026-14941, Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 8,461,196; Centanafadine Hydrochloride
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical got a one-year extra patent life for their drug centanafadine hydrochloride because the FDA review is still going on. This means they keep exclusive rights to the drug until July 25, 2027, giving them more time to sell it without competition. This extension helps the company protect their investment while the drug gets final approval.
2026-14793, Requirement To Identify All Real Parties in Interest to a Third Party Request for an Ex Parte Reexamination
The USPTO wants anyone asking for a third-party ex parte reexamination to clearly say who’s really behind the request. This helps stop sneaky tricks and keeps the process honest. If you’re involved, get ready to share this info confidentially by August 21, 2026, or risk delays or issues.
2026-14389, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Response to Office Action and Voluntary Amendment Forms
The USPTO is asking for public feedback on updating forms used to respond to trademark office actions and make voluntary changes. This affects anyone applying for or managing trademarks and could streamline the process without extra costs. Comments are open until September 15, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-06165, Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Extension: Generic Clearance for Feedback to the SEC's Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation
The SEC’s Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation is asking small businesses and their investors for feedback to improve its outreach and support programs. This extension lets them keep collecting helpful info—like who’s using their services and what challenges they face—without costing businesses much time or money. They expect about 10,000 responses over the next three years to make their work even better and more useful.
Next: 2025-06167, Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is teaming up with the Department of Health and Human Services to share wage and unemployment info every three months. This helps SSA check who qualifies for Extra Help, a program that lowers drug costs for people with low income. If you apply or already get Extra Help, this new info-sharing makes sure you get the right support without delays.