USPTO Ends Expedited Review for Design Patent Applications
Published Date: 8/14/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting April 17, 2025, the USPTO is officially ending the fast-track option for design patent applications. This change affects anyone applying for design patents, aiming to speed up the overall process and reduce mistakes with special fee discounts. While you won’t be able to rush your design patent anymore, this move helps keep the system fair and efficient for everyone.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
End of Fast-Track Design Patents
Starting April 17, 2025, the USPTO is removing the expedited (fast-track) examination option for design patent applications. If you apply for a design patent, you will no longer be able to pay or request to rush examination after that date.
Reduced Backlog of Design Applications
The USPTO removed the expedited-examination regulations (effective April 17, 2025) to help reduce the backlog of unexamined design applications. The agency says this removal will benefit all design patent applicants by lowering pendency of unexamined applications.
Action on Micro-Entity Certifications
The removal of the expedited examination provisions is said to facilitate USPTO efforts to address erroneous micro entity certifications and to mitigate threats to the intellectual property system. If you claim micro-entity status for fee discounts, the agency may use this change to pursue issues with incorrect certifications.
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!
2026-14941, 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.
2026-14939, 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.
2026-14793, 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.
2026-14388, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Admission to Practice and Roster of Registered Patent Attorneys and Agents Admitted to Practice Before the United States Patent and Trademark Office
The USPTO is asking for public feedback on its paperwork rules for patent attorneys and agents who want to practice before the office. This helps keep the process smooth and fair without making people fill out too many forms. If you have thoughts, send them in by August 17, 2026—no fees or big changes are happening right now, just a review.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-15493, Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR): Clarification of Filing Requirements Regarding In-Transit Shipments and Other FTR Provisions
If you ship goods through the U.S. on their way to another country, this new rule clears up who’s responsible for filing export paperwork. It affects exporters, customs brokers, and warehouse operators by setting clear rules on who files what and when. These changes start right away and help avoid fines by making export rules easier to follow.
Next: 2025-15514, Radio Broadcasting Services; Matador, Texas
The FCC is updating radio channels in Matador, Texas by swapping out two empty channels for new ones that fit better and follow all the rules. This means new spots for radio stations to broadcast from, with specific locations set to avoid interference. These changes help improve local radio options without costing anyone extra or causing delays.