The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced that it will broaden its pilot program to provide faster examination of certain “green technology” patent applications. Launched last year, the pilot program initially was limited to patent applications filed before December 8, 2009. The USPTO now has expanded eligibility for the program to unexamined applications regardless of their filing dates, which is expected to allow more applications into the green technology pilot program. The program also is being extended until December 31, 2011.

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