US Patent Alert: USPTO Won't Accept Petitions for Accelerated Examination Filed with New Utility Patent Applications July 10, 2025 Onward

The USPTO announced today that petitions for accelerated examination filed with new US utility patent applications will no longer be accepted beginning July 10, 2025. The USPTO discontinues the program to focus on reducing existing backlog, citing less than compelling usage of the program. The USPTO will continue accepting accelerated examination petitions filed with new US design patent applications. See USPTO discontinuing Accelerated Examination program for utility applications | USPTO.