I updated my patent database to include all patents issued thus far in 2011. For 2011, the median original patent issued in 3.8 years (4.0 years average pendency). For patents issued from continuation and divisional applications, the 2011 median pendency was 2.4 years (3.0 years average pendency). The pendency for original applications is essentially unchanged from 2010. However, the pendency of the median continuation & divisional application has dropped by about 5 months from 2010.
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Median Pendency (Years) |
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Year |
2010 |
2011* |
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Patents Issued From Original Applications (Excluding Continuations & Divisional Applications) |
3.8 |
3.8 |
|
Patents Issued From Continuation or Divisional Applications |
2.8 |
2.4 |
Of all the patents issued thus far in 2011, Louis Brown’s Patent No. 7,959,525 issued most quickly — 125 days from the earliest priority date.
Brown’s patent is directed to a Dual Composition Golf Tee. The patent itself is occupies only six pages and with five claims (one independent). The patent cites several prior patents — most of those being Brown’s own prior patents that were also examined by the same USPTO primary examiner Steve Wong. In the background section, Brown explains how his claimed invention is an improvement upon his prior own inventions. Brown’s case was “made special” after he filed a petition based upon his age (over 65 years).
The 2011 patent with the longest application pendency Patent No. 7,898,454 invented by Bertrand Starkey. Starkey’s patent application was filed in 1966 by the Canadian Government and is licensed to the US Army. The application received a notice of allowance in 1968, but was held from issuance under a secrecy order until 2006. The Starkey patent is directed to a Radar Jamming method. The Canadian equivalent of Starkey’s patent was also held under a secrecy order and issued in 2007. Starkey is also author of the intriguing book: Laplace Transforms for Electrical Engineers (1957).
Speaking to long term prosecutions, kudos to Michael Scroogie et al for their persistence in getting US7966222 to issue. They filed their case, “System and Method for Distributing Information Through Cooperative Communication Network Sites”, in 1997. After 8 rejections, two smack downs by the BPAI and a snubbing by the CAFC, they finally prevailed with an “affirmed in part” on their third trip to the board. May they use their 2,288 days of term extension well.
(and watch out world, they filed an unpublished continuing application in 2000 which is still pending)
No doubt, Mr. Roethel. But how much of that do you think he’d give away in exchange for a solid grasp of Laplace transforms, or even for a respectable facility with basic differential equations?
While Richard’s talent as a musician may be moderate, his estimated wealth of 150 Million pounds is noteworthy as is his status as an MBE.
link to en.wikipedia.org
“Starkey is also author of the intriguing book: Laplace Transforms for Electrical Engineers (1957).”
Not sure why this is “intriguing.” It is just a collection of formulas. I’ve seen many handbooks with similar titles – many of them are much more comprehensive than Starkey’s book.
Now, if the book was called “Laplace transform for Lawyers,” then it would have been very intriguing…
There’s a photo of Louis Brown at link to teeit.com
Yea, he’s older than 65 and in Pensacola, FL no less. Looks like he sells golf tee systems so you can tee off the end of your yacht using a pneumatic and vacuum system. Nice life!
Louie the B. looks fairly healthy, so should age really allow others to skip ahead in the line? Anyone know why the “applicant is 65 years of age” petition to make special rule was enacted?
In the background section, Brown explains how his claimed invention is an improvement upon his prior own inventions.
Because it weighs less?
Ned, the absolute fastest this year is 7,921,252 (77 days). The ‘252 was filed as divisional. The parent case had just been allowed by the same examiner.
122 days? Check this patent: 7,909,615. 119 days actual pendency, albeit, not from the earliest priority date.
Starkey is also author of the intriguing book: Laplace Transforms for Electrical Engineers (1957).
His younger brother, Richard, a professional musician of moderate talent, has long envied Bertie’s success.
“Starkey is also author of the intriguing book: Laplace Transforms for Electrical Engineers (1957). ”
No doubt a man of some reputation and ability. If he’s still alive.
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