13 July 2009, 09:17

Peer-To-Patent Program Closed

Peer-To-Patent, a US patent office (USPTO) programme to create an open network of patent reviewers has been closed down. Established two years ago, the programme was designed to pilot a community based approach to the reviewing of patent applications, with a hope that it could improve the quality of information available to patent examiners deciding on whether a patent should be granted. The USPTO has, according to the project, "chosen not to extend" the project beyond its second year despite it having "gained governmental, national and international notoriety".

Applications that had been accepted will continue to be processed through the system, but no more new applications will be accepted for entry into the community review system. The project has published a review PDF of its work in the last two years.