IPWatchdog

PIER Pressure: What Applicants Need to Know About the USPTO’s PIER Pilot Program

Earlier this year, with an effective date of April 9, 2026, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) introduced the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Informed Examination Request (PIER) Pilot Program. Curiously, while most USPTO pilot programs allow the applicant to opt in or opt out, the PIER Pilot Program precludes input from the applicant on the matter and rather imposes itself on the applicant. The USPTO decides which applications will take part in the PIER Pilot Program, and the

By IPWatchdog

1 min read
PIER Pressure: What Applicants Need to Know About the USPTO’s PIER Pilot Program
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