When the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced its new Streamlined Claim Set Pilot Program, Widerman Malek partner and patent attorney Dan Pierron quickly shared his analysis with the IP community. His LinkedIn article outlining the program’s details and implications sparked attention across the industry. It even caught the eye of MLex, who later featured him as an expert source in their announcement coverage.
About the USPTO’s New Pilot Program
The Streamlined Claim Set Pilot Program is designed to accelerate examination for pending utility patent applications that contain a simplified claim set, specifically one independent claim and ten or fewer total claims. Applications that meet these criteria and file the required petition form can be advanced out of turn for their first Office Action, potentially reducing overall pendency.
As Dan explained in his LinkedIn article, this program provides applicants with a cost-effective alternative to the Track One prioritized examination. It offers faster examiner feedback and potential time savings for inventors and businesses. Petition fees range from $150 for large entities to just $30 for micro entities, making the program both accessible and strategic.
“Early examiner feedback can inform prosecution strategy and support business timelines,” Pierron noted. “The program offers a convenient option for applicants seeking to expedite prosecution without having filed a Track I request at filing.”
Dan’s Commentary Featured in MLex
Following his LinkedIn post, MLex interviewed Dan for their article “USPTO rolls out accelerated examination for simple patent applications.” In the piece, he discussed how some applicants may intentionally simplify their claims to qualify for the pilot, a practical trade-off between broad coverage and quicker turnaround times.
“Sometimes you can adequately protect an invention without needing multiple independent claims,” he told MLex. “The benefit of quicker turnaround can outweigh the need for extra claim variations.”
Dan also highlighted how the USPTO’s approach aligns the interests of examiners and applicants alike, improving efficiency while maintaining strong protection for inventors.
What This Means for Applicants
The program will accept up to 200 applications per technology center through October 2026, so early participation is encouraged. For inventors, startups, and companies managing complex IP portfolios, this new pathway may offer a valuable opportunity to streamline prosecution and bring innovations to market faster.
For more information or to read Dan’s full article, visit his LinkedIn post: USPTO Introduces Streamlined Claim Set Pilot Program to Accelerate Examination
And to see his commentary featured in MLex, check out: “USPTO rolls out accelerated examination for simple patent applications.”
