In an article published in the Intellectual Property & Technology Law Journal, Principal Kisuk Lee discussed the four remaining expedited utility patent application options following the discontinuation of the Accelerated Examination (AE) Program.
Lee explains, "Applicants should carefully evaluate the advantages and limitations of each option to determine the most suitable strategy for their particular case."
He outlined each option, the Track One prioritized examination, the Patent Prosecution Highway program, the Streamlined Claim Set Pilot Program and a petition to make special for inventor's age or poor health. Lee listed the advantages and disadvantages, including the warning that "not all patent applications require expedited examination, and applicants should carefully weigh the potential disadvantages of early patent issuance before pursuing it."