Fewer Claims in the Fast Lane: USPTO’s Streamlined Claim Set Pilot Program

In a Federal Register Notice published October 27, 2025 (“Notice”), the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced a new pilot program called the “Streamlined Claim Set Pilot Program” (hereinafter “Pilot Program”). This article considers (1) requirements to participate in the Pilot Program, (2) effects on applications that are accepted to the Pilot Program, (3) …

USPTO’s Proposed IPR Rule Could Strengthen Patent Validity and Reshape Enforcement Trends

As of October 2025, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Director John A. Squires has reclaimed authority to decide all patent review institution proceedings. This responsibility was previously delegated to judges at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). The USPTO also recently issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that could significantly reshape how …