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  • USPTO

USPTO Launches “Streamlined Claim Set” Pilot Program — Opportunity for Faster First Office Actions

  • October 29th, 2025
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October 2025 – The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has introduced a new Streamlined Claim Set Pilot Program designed to expedite examination of qualifying utility patent applications. The program aims to reduce pendency and improve examination efficiency by focusing examiner resources on concise, clearly structured claim sets.

Key Highlights

  • Faster Examination: Applicants accepted into the pilot will receive an expedited first Office action.
  • Eligibility: Applies to original, non-continuing utility applications filed under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a) with a filing date before October 27, 2025.
  • Claim Limitations:
    • No more than one independent claim
    • No more than ten total claims
    • No multiple dependent claims
    • All dependent claims must follow the USPTO’s prescribed dependency format.
  • Petition Requirements:
    • File Form PTO/SB/472 (“Certification and Petition to Make Special Under the Streamlined Claim Set Pilot Program”)
    • Submit before the first Office action or restriction requirement is issued.
    • The application must not yet be docketed to a specific examiner.
  • Participation Limits: An inventor or joint inventor may not be named on more than three other applications with petitions under this pilot.
  • Program Capacity: The USPTO expects to accept approximately 200 applications per Technology Center, so early participation is recommended.

Strategic Considerations for Applicants

For clients seeking accelerated examination timelines, this program provides a practical path—particularly for inventions that can be effectively captured in a single independent claim. However, the narrower claim set may limit flexibility for future continuation practice, so participation decisions should align with your overall portfolio strategy.

SLW can help you:

  • Evaluate whether your pending or planned applications qualify;
  • Prepare compliant claim sets and petitions;
  • Weigh the benefits of early allowance versus portfolio breadth; and
  • Coordinate timing to ensure petitions are filed before assignment to an examiner.

Contact Us

If you’d like to discuss whether your upcoming filings may benefit from the Streamlined Claim Set Pilot Program—or wish to have SLW prepare a petition on your behalf—please reach out to your SLW attorney or contact our firm at info@slwip.com.