PTO 'whistleblower' Julie Burke and patent prosecution guru Clint Mehall join Eli on the season finale of Clause 8 to break down what’s happening at the USPTO—and what’s still left to be done.

On this episode, they discuss:

*Insights from the Reddit r/patentexaminer thread

*Previous and current plans to reduce the record patent application backlog

*Should the USPTO withdraw patent eligibility example 47 for AI?

*Previous administration’s decision to end AFCP program and ideas for variation of AFCP program to help reduce the backlog

*Misguided priorities and personnel decisions during last administration

*Improving morale and performance of examiners

*Adjusting credit system & improving culture to help examiners identify allowable subject matter

*Choice of Valencia Wallace Smith as Acting Commissioner for Patents

*USPTO’s decision to deprioritize examination of continuation patent applications

*USPTO rescinding memorandum for discretionary denials at PTAB and Director taking over handling of the requests for discretionary denials

*Aligning post-grant proceedings at PTAB with mission of USPTO

*Suggestions about switching to a registration system for patents that does not require examination

And, much more!

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