"The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is rolling out a new Automated Search Pilot Program, offering applicants a first-of-its-kind opportunity to receive a pre-examination, AI-generated prior art search report. The program's stated goals are to improve prosecution efficiency and the quality of patent examination by providing an Automated Search Results Notice (ASRN) before an examiner reviews the case."
"The USPTO's internal AI tool will generate the ASRN by searching the application text against multiple U.S. and foreign databases, ranking up to ten documents for relevancy. Shortly after pre-examination processing, the ASRN is issued to the applicant, providing insight into the potentially relevant prior art uncovered-but requiring no response. This will give the applicant an opportunity to assess prior art issues before substantive examination."
The USPTO introduced an Automated Search Pilot Program that provides an Automated Search Results Notice (ASRN) generated by an internal AI prior to examiner review. The ASRN searches application text against U.S. and foreign databases, ranks up to ten relevant documents, and is issued shortly after pre-examination processing. Applicants receive the ASRN with no mandatory response required, but may file preliminary amendments, request examination deferral, or petition for express abandonment with potential fee refunds. Eligible filings are original, noncontinuing utility applications filed electronically between October 20, 2025 and April 20, 2026 that include a petition (Form PTO/SB/470), the applicable fee, DOCX compliance, and enrollment in the Patent Center e-Office Action Program.
Read at Intellectual Property Law Blog
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