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The “14-Month Fiction”: Rethinking USPTO Timelines in Modern Patent Strategy
The USPTO’s 14-month target for issuing a First Office Action has long been viewed as a benchmark for timely patent examination—but recent data suggests it is rarely met in practice. With nearly 90% of first actions arriving after this window, a growing gap has emerged between statutory expectations and real-world timelines. This shift, however, may not be entirely disadvantageous. As delays often trigger patent term adjustments, applicants—particularly in complex, long-cycle
Robert Fish, Esq.
2 days ago3 min read
FishFAQ Trademark Video 4: Trademarks and Use
Become trademark owner by using it to identify the source of your goods or services. However, eligibility for registering your trademark for federal protection will require usage.
Robert Fish, Esq.
5 days ago3 min read
Patent Term Distribution
Patent term distribution ultimately provides a clearer picture of how the system operates. Distribution of Expected remaining patent term in years.
Robert Fish, Esq.
5 days ago2 min read
USPTO Guidance on Design Patents for AR, VR, and Computer Interfaces
by Bob Fish | March 19, 2026 | 8:00 am Computer-Generated Design Guidance Background Back in 2020, the USPTO asked for public input on “whether its interpretation of the article of manufacture requirement in the United States Code should be revised to protect digital designs that encompass new and emerging technologies.” Nineteen comments were submitted . Twelve advocated that designs for projections, holograms, and virtual and augmented reality should be eligible for
Robert Fish, Esq.
5 days ago3 min read
The Shape of IPR Institution Under Director Squires
If you owned a patent and someone filed an IPR, it was less a question of whether you’d be dragged into the PTAB and more a question of how painful it would be. Under Director John Squires, that gravity is still there, but it’s weaker, more selective, and far more dependent on context. For patent holders and inventors, that’s a real shift, and a meaningful one.
Robert Fish, Esq.
Feb 44 min read
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