BSKB News
Learn about BSKB’s announcements, recognitions, and other firm news below.
-
January 1, 2024
Bradford F. Fritz Promoted to Partner
BSKB is pleased to announce that Bradford F. Fritz has been promoted to Partner of the firm.
-
September 5, 2023
BSKB Lawyers Recognized as Best Lawyers® Award Recipients
Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch, LLP is pleased to announce that 4 lawyers have been included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.
-
June 6, 2023
USPTO DOCX Announcement
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has delayed the implementation of the non-DOCX filing surcharge until January 17, 2024. In addition, the option to upload a backup PDF version with the DOCX filing of the application has been extended until further notice.
-
February 27, 2023
USPTO ANNOUNCEMENT
The electronic patent grant will be the official statutory patent grant effective April 18, 2023.
-
December 29, 2022
USPTO DOCX ANNOUNCEMENT
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has delayed the implementation of the non-DOCX filing surcharge until April 3, 2023.
-
October 19, 2022
USPTO Alert - Office Action response deadlines for trademark applicants
For those who have filed or will file trademark applications in the USPTO, we wish to inform you of an important update from the USPTO regarding Office Action response deadlines.
-
October 14, 2022
USPTO DOCX ANNOUNCEMENT
Our previous announcement of November 24, 2021 noted that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) delayed implementation of the non-DOCX filing surcharge until January 1, 2023. The USPTO has not announced whether there is a need to delay implementation beyond January 1, 2023.
-
June 30, 2022
MaryAnne Armstrong, Ph.D. & Paul Lewis - Patent Stars for 2022
BSKB’s MaryAnne Armstrong, Ph.D. and Paul Lewis have been named Patent Stars for 2022. The annual IP Star Rankings, published by Managing IP, are awarded based on peer and client nominations. Additionally, BSKB has been named a “Recommended Firm” for Intellectual Property for 2022.
-
June 21, 2022
USPTO Update to Sequence Listing Requirements
Implementation of ST.26 for Sequence Listing requirements to become effective worldwide July 1, 2022
-
May 23, 2022
MaryAnne Armstrong, Ph.D Selected for The WIPR 2022 Leaders Directory
We are proud to announce that BSKB’s MaryAnne Armstrong, Ph.D. has been selected to the WIPR Leaders 2022 Directory!
-
March 1, 2022
Skyla A. Duncan-Jules, PhD joins BSKB
Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch, LLP (BSKB) is pleased to welcome Skyla A. Duncan-Jules, Ph.D. to the firm’s prosecution practice as a Technical Advisor in the Chemical and Life Sciences/Biotech departments.
-
January 1, 2022
Seth S. Kim Promoted to Partner
BSKB is pleased to announce that Seth S. Kim has been promoted to Partner of the firm.
-
November 24, 2021
USPTO DOCX Filings Surcharge Fee Delay
The USPTO has delayed the effective date of the surcharge fee for non-DOCX filings to January 1, 2023. The PTO Announcement and Federal Register Notice can be viewed using the USPTO link found here: https://www.uspto.gov/blog/director/entry/modernizing-patent-filing-with-docx The USPTO will continue to accept DOCX specifications for non-PCT applications first filed in the U.S., for applications filed in the U.S. under the Paris Convention and for applications filed as a by-pass continuation of a PCT application without the surcharge fee. The surcharge delay allows the USPTO time for further testing and for application filers to adjust to the DOCX format. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
-
November 12, 2021
USPTO DOCX Filings
Effective January 1, 2022, a USPTO surcharge fee of $400 (large entity), $200 (small entity) and $100 (micro entity) will apply for non-DOCX filings. The surcharge fee applies to utility non-provisional application filings (e.g., the specification, claims, and abstract must be in DOCX format to avoid the surcharge; drawings are not subject to this requirement). The DOCX surcharge does not apply to US National Stage Applications or PCT International Applications filed in the US Receiving Office. Drawings may be filed as PDF or DOCX documents. There is no surcharge for drawings not filed as DOCX documents. DOCX is a structured text-based Microsoft Word document. Effective January 1, 2022, a USPTO surcharge fee of $400 (large entity), $200 (small entity) and $100 (micro entity) will apply for non-DOCX filings. The surcharge fee applies to utility non-provisional application filings (e.g., the specification, claims, and abstract must be in DOCX format to avoid the surcharge; drawings are not subject to this requirement). The DOCX surcharge does not apply to US National Stage Applications or PCT International Applications filed in the US Receiving Office. Drawings may be filed as PDF or DOCX documents. There is no surcharge for drawings not filed as DOCX documents. DOCX is a structured text-based Microsoft Word document. In view of the above, to avoid the USPTO surcharge, we recommend that you commence sending specifications in DOCX format for all utility non-provisional applications filed on or after January 1, 2022.
-
October 22, 2021
Hailey R. Bureau, Ph.D., Promoted to Associate
A huge congratulations to BSKB’s very own Hailey Bureau, Ph.D.! She has just been promoted to Associate after passing the Virginia Bar Exam. Congrats, Hailey!
-
May 28, 2021
Len Svensson's meat substitute technology paper featured in IPWatchdog
Leonard Svensson recently published an article in IPWatchdog, Inc. analyzing meat substitution companies and the patent protection being sought and obtained in the industry.
-
April 12, 2021
Patent Law Institute 2021: Critical Issues & Best Practices
BSKB is proud to announce that Partners, Gerald Murphy and Chad Rink will be presenting again at this year's Practising Law Institute (PLI), April 30, 2021 beginning at 9AM PT. Mr. Murphy and Mr. Rink will be discussing Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Biotech Updates Affecting Patent Prosecution.
-
February 19, 2021
MaryAnne Armstrong, Ph.D. Appointed to SACEPO
BSKB is pleased to announce the appointment of Partner, MaryAnne Armstrong, Ph.D. to the European Patent Office’s Standing Advisory Committee (SACEPO Working Party on Quality, section for American countries).
-
January 28, 2021
Estella M. Gustilo, Ph.D. Joins BSKB
Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch, LLP (BSKB) is pleased to announce the arrival of Estella M. Gustilo, Ph.D. to the firm’s prosecution practice.
-
December 23, 2020
Season’s Greetings
Wishing you a safe and wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year.