USPTO is key to clean tech – patents are critical to combatting climate change
James C. De Vellis of Foley & Lardner LLP, ’22, June 6, “USPTO Focuses on Clean Tech,” THE NATIONAL LAW REVIEW, accessed July 11, 2024, https://natlawreview.com/article/uspto-focuses-clean-tech
Last year, the USPTO received 40,000 patent applications in the clean technology sector which accounts for almost 7% of yearly patent applications. Inventors and companies at any tier can file a petition for the fast-track patent review. With this process, the USPTO hopes to see a rise in products and processes that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near future. The USPTO will accept petitions for this special status until June 5, 2023, or until 1,000 applications have been granted special status under this program.
The climate is rapidly deteriorating as companies begin committing to green energy initiatives. Clean technology is the future and will tangibly reduce the impacts of climate change.
“To all of you involved in the next generation of clean energy technologies, you can look to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as your partner in developing your technologies into products and systems that will change the trajectory of our energy future,” said Kathi Vidal, Director of the USPTO, in prepared remarks.