This panel will discuss the strategic use of U.S. and international mechanisms to accelerate or defer the prosecution of patent applications, such as the new U.S. accelerated examination program, the Patent Prosecution Highway, suspension of action in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), and deferred examination in foreign patent offices. Practical tips will be provided for companies seeking to strategically coordinate patent prosecution in various jurisdictions throughout the world.

• Describe recent changes to the Petition to Make Special process in the PTO, de-mystify the Accelerated Examination Program and explore the Patent Prosecution Highway as a tool to speed up patent prosecution
• Discuss suspension of action in the PTO and deferred examination in foreign patent offices
• Offer strategies to integrate these administrative options to coordinate global patent strategy