USPTO responds to reports of secret programme to delay approvals

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Cookies Settings

USPTO responds to reports of secret programme to delay approvals

December 05 2014

The USPTO has responded to accusations that it uses the Sensitive Application Warning System programme to delay controversial patents. The Office denies the programme is designed to stall applications and notes it is only used for “a relatively small number” of them

Unlock this content.

The content you are trying to view is exclusive to our subscribers.

To unlock this content:

Take a Free Trial or Login

Topics

United StatesNewsPatentsNorth AmericaJurisdictions
more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Patents
Nokia new.jpg
This week on MIP: Nokia and Hisense sign deal | Bayer sues vaccine makers
News of Health Hoglund joining Sisvel and the Delhi High Court staying a $2.2 million decree in favour of Philips were also among the top talking points
Max Walters, January 09 2026
Patents
Magnifying glass emphasizing one glowing figure among group symbolizing focused hiring
Morgan Lewis nabs Ropes & Gray ITC expert
The firm is continuing its aggressive IP hiring streak with the addition of partner Matthew Rizzolo
Sanjana Mishra, January 08 2026
Patents
Shogo Matsunaga M.png
How Pantech convinced a Tokyo court of Google’s FRAND obligations
Pantech counsel Shogo Matsunaga speaks exclusively to Managing IP about how his team proved Google’s unwillingness, and ultimately secured a landmark SEP settlement
Sukanya Sarkar, January 08 2026
Trademarks
WilsonSharpe.png
Exclusive: Brandsmiths adds two partners in bid to sharpen client focus
New partners, including the firm’s first female head of a department, are eyeing a deeper focus on client understanding
Max Walters, January 08 2026
Patents
China PAT-Headshot-Chunguang HU.jpg
The inside man: law firm partner praises China’s IP value
Chunguang Hu of China PAT explains why his ‘insider’ experience as a patent examiner benefits clients and why he wants to debunk the myth that IP has limited value in China
January 08 2026
Patents
Essenese Obhan_DSK_HR.jpg
‘Boutique with more fuel in the tank’: Obhan Mason head on merger
Essenese Obhan shares his expansion plans and vision of creating a ‘one-stop shop’ for clients after Indian firms Obhan & Associates and Mason & Associates joined forces
Sukanya Sarkar, January 07 2026
Copyright
Global influence of China depicted by an earth globe with the Chinese flag amidst a powerful, transformative atmosphere with fog. Rotation of the planet.
The year ahead: China eyes ‘problematic’ TMs and Europe’s FRAND predicament
From AI and the UPC to troublesome trademarks in China, experts name the IP trends likely to dominate 2026
January 07 2026
Patents
Headshot_Colm_Media.jpg
Goodwin hires prosecution expert from Cooley
Colm Murphy says he is keen to help clients navigate cross-border IP challenges in Europe
January 06 2026
Patents
happy new year, new year's eve, silvester, new years eve, sparklers celebration greeting card, new year card - Year 2026 in sparkler font and firework fireworks pyrotechnic, blue night sky background
Pro-patent policies and AI replicas: 2026 predictions
With 2025 behind us, US practitioners sit down with Managing IP to discuss the major IP moments from the year and what to expect in 2026
Sanjana Mishra, January 05 2026
Patents
Europe at night with glowing city lights, seen from space
Weekly take: Will 2026 see the wind of change come to Europe?
Large-scale transatlantic mergers will give US entities a strong foothold at the UPC, and could spark further fragmentation of European patent practices
Max Walters, January 05 2026
Gift this article