AIPLA Comments on USPTO’s Diversion Program November 10, 2022

Arlington, VA. November 7, 2022 - The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) submitted comments to the United States Patent and Trademark Office on the Office of Enrollment and Discipline’s (OED) Diversion Pilot Program. 

The response supports the USPTO’s proposal to formalize OED’s Diversion Pilot Program and agrees that the OED Director should have the flexibility in appropriate cases to enter into diversion agreements with practitioners. Given the protection the program affords to the public and profession, the response encourages expansion of the program, including a broader definition of who is eligible for inclusion in the program. The comments also support the USPTO’s efforts to clarify fees, word changes, and contact information as clarifying technical corrections to make the regulation of practitioners more streamlined. The response firmly opposes the substantive rule changes to the disciplinary rules, which would impact the regulatory structure regarding remote hearings, as well as change the requirements for supporting motions. 

To view the complete comments, please download the comment letter posted to the right of this page.