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:

Request Access or Login

Topics

News Patents Jurisdictions United States (National)
more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Patents
Matthew Cassie portrait (003).jpg
Exclusive: Hoffmann Eitle doubles up on HGF talent in London growth push
Matthew Cassie becomes the tenth partner to join the firm’s London outpost, and the second since it opened its new headquarters in May this year
October 08 2026
Patents
OpenAI.jpg
UPC update: Munich talent battle heats up | Firms ready for KeeeX v OpenAI showdown
A&O Shearman and Fish & Richardson invested in German talent, meanwhile, major firms have assembled for an on the merits case pitting KeeeX against OpenAI and Adobe
October 08 2026
IP Ones to Watch
Bishop_Julia_985-_INTA2023_00820-FULL-Retouched (2).jpg
IP Ones to Watch 2026: MIP recognises Julia Bishop at Twilio
Julia Bishop is director of IP at Twilio in the US
October 07 2026
IP Ones to Watch
Essity pressbild
IP Ones to Watch 2026: MIP recognises Fredrika Hellberg at Essity
Hellberg is an IP director at Essity in Sweden
October 07 2026
IP Ones to Watch
OneDrive_1_9-30-2022/Kinga Palińska_0035.jpg
IP Ones to Watch 2026: MIP recognises Kinga Palińska at CD Projekt Red
Palińska is the business & IP law lead at CD Projekt Red in Poland
October 07 2026
IP Ones to Watch
Teemu Itala Profile Pic.jpeg
IP Ones to Watch 2026: MIP recognises Teemu Itälä at Nokia
Teemu Itälä is head of legal and compliance for technology standards at Nokia in Finland
October 07 2026
IP Ones to Watch
Armin.jpeg
IP Ones to Watch 2026: MIP recognises Armin Schwitulla at Nokia
Schwitulla is the head of litigation management at Nokia in Germany
October 07 2026
IP Ones to Watch
David Degen.jpg
IP Ones to Watch 2026: MIP recognises David Degen at Novartis
David Degen is senior IP counsel at Novartis, Switzerland
October 07 2026
IP Ones to Watch
Demetrio.jpeg
IP Ones to Watch 2026: MIP recognises Demetrio Roberto Cavicchia at Angelini Pharma
Demetrio Roberto Cavicchia is an IP director at Angelini Pharma in Italy
October 07 2026
IP Ones to Watch
Paloma Almeida Headshot.jfif
IP Ones to Watch 2026: MIP recognises Paloma Almeida at Bosch
Almeida is the IP group leader at Bosch in Brazil
October 07 2026
Gift this article