On December 10, 2008, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that new rules for patent appeals would not become effective until a later date.
The new rules, if implemented, would add new substantive and procedural requirements for appeal briefs and reply briefs that are expected to increase the time and effort required for preparation of these documents. However, until further notice, appeal briefs and reply briefs will be accepted under the old format.
