In April 2016, the PTO launched its Post Grant Outcomes Pilot, an initiative to inform Examiners of relevant PTAB proceedings regarding patents related to an application (e.g., a continuation, divisional, continuation-in-part) that they are currently examining.  Participants in the pilot program received email notifications of important filings in relevant PTAB cases including petitions, institution decisions, and expert declarations.  The pilot program tracked how often art from the PTAB cases was used in the related application examinations.

The survey showed that Examiners found the PTAB information to be helpful, referencing art originating from the PTAB trial 46% of the time.  Additional findings from the pilot program are discussed here, with detailed statistics being accessible here.

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Matt Johnson is one of the Firm's primary contacts on practice before the PTAB. Currently co-chairing the Firm's PTAB subpractice and involved in proceedings at the Board since the first day of their availability in September 2012, Matt regularly represents clients as both petitioners and patent owners at the Board. He further works as an advocate for clients in appeals from Board proceedings at the Federal Circuit.