USPTO将制造业和小企业因素作为专利审查决定的补充,以促进国内工业。 USPTO adds manufacturing and small business factors to patent review decisions to boost domestic industry.

2026年3月11日, 美国专利与商标办公室宣布了新的自由裁量权因素, 以决定是否启动当事人间审查(IPR)或赠款后审查(PGR)程序, 包括美国制造被指控产品的程度、专利拥有者对国内生产的投资, On March 11, 2026, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced new discretionary factors for deciding whether to institute inter partes review (IPR) or post-grant review (PGR) proceedings, including the extent of U.S. manufacturing for accused products, patent owner investments in domestic production, and whether the petitioner is a small business sued for infringement. 这项旨在支持美国制造业和小企业的举动反映了向使专利程序与国家经济和安全目标相一致的更广泛转变。 The move, aimed at supporting American manufacturing and small businesses, reflects a broader shift toward aligning patent proceedings with national economic and security goals. 该指南适用于专利所有人自行酌定的短暂期限尚未超过的待决案件,并鼓励当事方提交有关制造和商业状况的证据。 The guidance applies to pending cases where the patent owner’s discretionary brief deadline has not passed, and parties are encouraged to submit evidence on manufacturing and business status. 虽然没有设定具体阈值,但这一变化表明,在PTAB机构决定中,国内工业和小企业可能偏向于国内工业和小企业。 While no specific thresholds are set, the change signals a potential preference for domestic industry and small firms in PTAB institution decisions.