USPTO Offers Virtual STEPP Course to Train International Patent Practitioners in Examiner Perspectives

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced a virtual training opportunity for international patent agents and attorneys. The Stakeholder Training on Examination Practice and Procedure (STEPP) course will be held over four days, from May 4 through May 7, running daily from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Eastern Time.

This specialized program aims to provide participants with insights into the patent examination process, emphasizing how examiners evaluate patent applications in accordance with the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP). By learning to think like a patent examiner, attendees can better navigate the complexities of patent prosecution before the USPTO.

Eligibility to attend the STEPP course requires that applicants be licensed and registered patent agents or attorneys authorized to practice before the USPTO and reside outside the United States. Prospective participants must submit an interest form to be considered for enrollment.

The USPTO will accept interest forms until Wednesday, April 29, or until the course reaches capacity. Given the limited availability, early submission is encouraged.

The USPTO advises that some email security systems may interfere with accessing links related to the course registration. Recipients experiencing difficulties should consult their IT or email administrators to whitelist the domains links-1.govdelivery.com and links-2.govdelivery.com to ensure uninterrupted access.

To stay informed about USPTO training and updates, individuals can subscribe to regular email notifications through the USPTO subscription center at www.uspto.gov/subscribe. This platform allows users to manage their email preferences and receive timely information about patent and trademark matters.

For further assistance or inquiries, the USPTO directs users to its contact page at www.uspto.gov/about/contacts. Note that the announcement was sent from an unmonitored mailbox, so direct replies to the email will not receive responses.

This initiative reflects the USPTO’s ongoing commitment to support international patent practitioners by enhancing their understanding of examination standards and procedures, ultimately facilitating more effective patent prosecution across jurisdictions.