What are USPTO PTAB pre-hearing conferences?

Mandatory 15-day pre-oral hearing calls for AIA cases, guiding parties on key issues like claim construction and prior art.

Why is USPTO closing the Rocky Mountain Regional Office?

To cut $1M+ lease costs, shifting to cheaper university-hosted community engagement offices like Montana's.

Will Montana's new USPTO office boost local patents?

It aims to, with doubled apps already; university partnership targets startups in the Bozeman tech corridor.

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USPTO's PTAB Pre-Hearing Gambit and Montana's 'Innovation' Outpost

Picture this: USPTO drops two announcements in a week—mandatory chit-chats before PTAB hearings and a shiny new Montana patent perch. But who's buying the efficiency pitch when regional offices get the axe?

theAIcatchup Apr 09, 2026 4 min read

USPTO seal over Montana mountains with PTAB gavel and patent documents

⚡ Key Takeaways

USPTO mandates pre-hearing conferences 15 days before PTAB AIA oral hearings to focus arguments. 𝕏
Rocky Mountain Regional Office closes; Montana State University hosts first community engagement office. 𝕏
Critics like ex-Deputy Slifer warn of examiner morale hit from duty station disruptions. 𝕏

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#Montana USPTO office #Rocky Mountain closure #USPTO PTAB #pre-hearing conferences

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Originally reported by IPWatchdog

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