PTO Hunts Southeast Spots for Inventor Outreach Offices

2026-05564 — Required Use by Foreign Applicants and Patent Owners of a Patent Practitioner

Starting July 20, 2026, anyone outside the U.S. applying for or owning a U.S. patent must work with a registered patent expert. This change makes the U.S. match other countries, speeds up patent processing, and helps stop fraud. If you’re a foreign inventor or patent owner, get ready to team up with a pro to keep your patent game strong!

2026-05221 — 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 updating how they collect info about patent attorneys and agents who can practice before them. This affects patent pros who want to stay on the official roster and keep practicing. Comments are open until May 18, 2026, with no new fees, just a smoother info update process.

2026-04901 — Request for Comments on the World Intellectual Property Organization Riyadh Design Law Treaty

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office wants your thoughts on joining a new global treaty that makes it easier and faster to protect cool designs worldwide. If the U.S. signs on, designers could save time and money when applying for design protections both here and abroad. You’ve got until June 11, 2026, to share your ideas and help shape this decision!

2026-04987 — Supplemental Guidance for Examination of Design Patent Applications Related to Computer-Generated Interfaces and Icons

The USPTO just updated its rules to give designers more freedom when applying for patents on computer-generated interfaces and icons. This change affects anyone filing or already working on design patent applications related to digital images, starting March 13, 2026. It means you can now show your cool, original designs in new ways without extra hassle—no extra fees, just more creative control!

2026-04519 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Deposit of Biological Materials

The USPTO is asking for your thoughts on renewing a form that helps patent applicants deposit biological materials, like tiny living things, when applying for patents. This update won’t cost you money but aims to keep paperwork easy and clear. If you want to share your ideas, make sure to comment by April 8, 2026!

2026-04345 — Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 9,724,499; V-WAVE® Ventura® Interatrial Shunt System

The U.S. Patent Office just gave V-Wave Ltd. a one-year extra boost on their patent for the V-WAVE Ventura Interatrial Shunt System because the FDA review is still happening. This means V-Wave keeps exclusive rights to their medical device until March 11, 2027, giving them more time to market it without competition. It’s a win for innovation and business while the final FDA approval is still in progress!

Previous: 2026-03859 — Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; 7 CFR Part 340; Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through Genetic Engineering

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is updating and extending the paperwork rules for bringing genetically engineered plants and organisms into the country. This affects scientists, companies, and farmers who work with these modified products. You’ve got until April 27, 2026, to share your thoughts, and these changes help keep the process smooth without adding extra costs.

Next: 2026-03861 — Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Demolition of Pier 10 and Construction of a Crane Weight Test Area Project at U.S. Naval Submarine Base New London

The U.S. Navy plans to tear down Pier 10 and build a Crane Weight Test Area at the Naval Submarine Base in New London, Connecticut. This work might disturb local marine mammals, so NOAA is asking for public comments before deciding on a special permit that lets the Navy do this with some limits. Comments are open until March 30, 2026, and there’s a chance for a one-year permit renewal if needed.