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<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks, Katherine!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Maybe the USPTO should put a hold on the fees for alleged “late-filed” continuing applications (filed more than five years after the earliest benefit date) until they get this sorted out.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Doreen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><img width="71" height="26" style="width:.7416in;height:.2666in" id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image002.png@01DA9AF9.699A1210"></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#77206D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Doreen Y. Trujillo</span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Partner | VLP Law Group LLP<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Southeastern Pennsylvania| Blue Bell, PA<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Office: +1 (267) 358-6839</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Email: dtrujillo@VLPLawGroup.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#501549;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#501549;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> Patentcenter <patentcenter-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Katherine Koenig via Patentcenter<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, April 30, 2024 11:41 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> users of Patentcenter <patentcenter@oppedahl-lists.com><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Katherine Koenig <katherine@koenigipworks.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Patentcenter] Patent backlogs<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I just called the AAU to ask the status of two applications that have been in Central Docket since 2022. The AAU representative told me they’re instructed to transfer these inquiries to the Ombuds Office so they can help these old applications
get “unstuck.” When I spoke with the Ombuds Office, I was told that they won’t do anything to advance applications until they’ve been with Central Docket for at least 24 months, and even then, action can take several more months.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This apparently is because the USPTO is down “thousands of Examiners” and is actively recruiting to bring the numbers back up. I’d never heard the hard 24-month guidance, so wanted to pass it along – you’ll likely be wasting your time
if you call about an application that’s been sitting for a shorter time than that. If this saves someone a 30-minute hold with AAU (why do they still play the AIA message from 2012?), I’ve done my good deed for the day.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Corbel",sans-serif;color:black">Best regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Corbel",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Corbel",sans-serif;color:black">Katherine<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Corbel",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Corbel",sans-serif;color:black">Dr. Katherine Koenig<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Corbel",sans-serif;color:black">Registered Patent Attorney<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Corbel",sans-serif;color:black">Koenig IP Works, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Corbel",sans-serif;color:black">2208 Mariner Dr.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Corbel",sans-serif;color:black">Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Corbel",sans-serif;color:black">(954) 903-1699<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Corbel",sans-serif;color:black"><a href="mailto:katherine@koenigipworks.com"><span style="color:blue">katherine@koenigipworks.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Corbel",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><img border="0" width="154" height="41" style="width:1.6083in;height:.425in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image003.png@01DA9AF9.699A1210"></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif;color:black">Targeted Intellectual Property Strategy</span></i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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