USPTO Indefinitely Delays Implementation of the Voluntary Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Certification
On December 16, 2021, The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) indefinitely delayed implementation of the voluntary continuing legal education (CLE) certification for registered patent practitioners and individuals granted limited recognition to practice before the USPTO in patent matters.
The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) assembled a joint committee task force comprised of the Patent Agents Committee, Patent Law Committee, Patent Relations with the USPTO Committee, and the Corporate Committee, to ensure that the proposed rules did not disproportionately impact patent agents and other practitioners for whom CLE self-certification would be a significant burden and/or legal risk, and to ensure that practitioners were made aware of requirements for the registration statement and the CLE self-certification. To read the full letter that was submitted in January 2021, please click here.
The USPTO plans to provide at least 120 days’ notice of any future implementation date for the voluntary CLE certification and at that time, will issue final CLE guidelines clarifying the types of courses and activities that qualify for CLE credit.
Upcoming Events
-
World IP Day 2024
May 1, 2024 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Join AIPLA and partner organizations on May 1 in Washington, DC, for a special three-hour program to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day 2024. This annual international event is an opportunity to learn about the role that intellectual property (IP) rights play in encouraging innovation and creativity. The theme of this year’s celebration is “IP and the SDGs: Building Our Common Future With Innovation and Creativity.” -
17th Annual Design Day
May 9, 2024 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Join us for an in-person or virtual day of lively and thought-provoking discussion about various aspects of design patents, hosted at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Get insights from USPTO design managers, design patent practitioners, and industrial designers. No CLE credit is offered for attendance. -
2024 Advanced Chemical Patent Practice Institute
May 14 to 15, 2024
This advanced course is designed for patent attorneys and patent agents actively practicing in the chemical and related arts and will be presented from both prosecution and litigation perspectives and equips practitioners to prepare and prosecute patent applications, withstand challenges from PTAB and district courts, including such hot button issues as advanced claim drafting, claim construction, written description, enablement, and legislative proposals. Attendees will be armed with strategies and best practices to maximize the scope of patent protection while minimizing challenges to the validity and enforceability of the patents. The program also offers information that will assist in client counseling and making strategic portfolio and business decisions. -
2024 Spring Meeting - Austin, TX
May 16 to 18, 2024
Join us as we bring IP professionals together to learn and connect. More information coming soon! The 2024 Spring meeting will take place in downtown Austin, at the Hilton Austin. Leadership Meetings on Wednesday, May 15. Programming scheduled May 16-18. -
2024 Legal Secretaries & Administrators Conference
May 21 to 22, 2024
It can be hard to stay on top of the latest news, procedures, and tools. The Legal Secretaries and Administrators conference can assist. This conference is designed for paralegals, administrators, and other office specialists to hear directly from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This two-day virtual program provides a comprehensive overview of new features and services, best practices for streamlining procedures, and opportunities to ask questions and hear directly from the USPTO.