Biotechnology: Processing Delays Continue for Growing Backlog of Patent Applications

RCED-90-231 Published: Sep 28, 1990. Publicly Released: Oct 02, 1990.

Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Patent and Trademark Office's (PTO) backlog of unprocessed biotechnology patent applications, focusing on: (1) the extent of the backlog; (2) the impact of PTO actions to accelerate biotechnology patent decisions; and (3) the impact of continuations on reported patent dependency time in 1989.

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Chuck Young

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Topics

Science and Technology

Agency proceedingsBiological researchEligibility determinationsInternal controlsPatentsPersonnel managementProgram managementTechnology transferBiotechnologyPatent applications