Expediting Patent Examination with Rocket Docket using Prior-art Search – A Case Study

A design patent may be granted by the USPTO, or United States Patent and Trademark Office, after around 21 months. However, inventors can patent their inventions faster quickly by utilising the USPTO's accelerated programme known as Rocket Docket. Without the Rocket Docket, the average wait time for a first-design office action is between 16 and 17 months. The time it takes for an initial review to be completed from the Rocket Docket request grant date is reduced to about two months with expedited examination. Thus, an expedited design patent application avoids having to wait for the initial examiner examination for almost a year.

This post will go over a case study where Sagacious IP's expert prior-art search aided a client in accelerating the patent examination procedure and obtaining the grant via Rocket Docket. Rocket Docket, costs, specifications, and other information are also included.

What is a Rocket Docket?

Not many companies have the time to wait nearly two years for a design patent application to be approved. Thus, for applicants who need grants sooner, the USPTO offers prioritised examinations. The Rocket Docket examination service prioritises requests. Applicants can use it to ask for a quick evaluation of their design patent application. So, with the aid of Rocket Docket, an applicant can patent design ideas in less than six months. The applicant's patent application will take precedence over other design patent applications if the accelerated review request is granted. To speed up the procedure, it is advised that the applicant submit both the design patent application and the request for accelerated examination at the same time. Separating them may result in some delays in filing.

What is the price of Rocket Docket?

To request accelerated review of a design patent application through Rocket Docket, the USPTO costs $225 (subject to change) for micro-entities, $450 (subject to change) for small entities, and $900 (subject to change) for big companies. In addition to the regular filing fee, there is also an expedited examination fee.

The application for an accelerated examination must be submitted with the processing fee. A notice of deficiency is sent by the patent office to the applicant if the accelerated examination fee is not paid. If the applicant doesn't reply, the design patent application will be handled routinely rather than quickly.

Requirements for Requesting Rocket Docketing

To request Rocket Docket accelerated evaluation of a design submission, you must meet a number of prerequisites. These consist of:

1. a USPTO expedited examination request

2. The cost of submitting an application for a design patent.

3. Extra charge for the accelerated examination

4. A flawless design patent submission

5. Design sketches in black and white

6. A preliminary investigation (Prior art Search)

7. A statement that a prior-art search was done before the examination

8. A statement about the search field

9. A disclosure of information is also required.

How long does it take Rocket Docket to process a request?

The expedited examination process takes 4 to 6 months to approve a design patent application. An applicant must carry out certain procedures in order to expedite a design patent application using..

For more information, read the entire article about Prior-Art Search.