G325 STEPPOverallAndNeeds

STEPP Overall Evaluation & Future Advanced Courses
Welcome

OMB Control No. 0651-0080
Expiration Date: x/xx/20xx

Thank you for previously participating in a STEPP course on examination practice
and procedure. We would like to know if STEPP has impacted how you practice
before the USPTO. We would also like to gauge your interest in future advanced
STEPP courses.
This survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. For general questions
regarding the purpose of the survey, contact [email protected]. If you encounter
any problems with the survey instrument, contact Michael Easdale
([email protected]).
Thank you in advance for your participation in this important survey.
Please click the Next button to begin.

A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with an information collection subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 unless the
information collection has a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 0651-0080.
Without this approval, we could not collect this information. Public reporting for this information collection is estimated to be
approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the survey. All responses to this information collection are voluntary. Send
comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection, including suggestions for reducing this
burden to the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA
22313-1450 or email [email protected].

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STEPP Overall Evaluation & Future Advanced Courses
Course Impact & Future Courses

1. What impact, if any, has STEPP had on how you prosecute an application before the USPTO?:

No Impact

Slight Impact

Moderate Impact

Strong Impact

N/A I have not
submitted an
application since
taking STEPP
courses

I view interactions with examiners as a
more collaborative effort.
I interview more frequently.
I more often utilize USPTO interview
rooms or WebEx to conduct
interviews.
I more frequently conduct a prior art
search prior to filing an application.
I more often utilize USPTO public
search resources such as PTRC
libraries and USPTO regional offices.
I more frequently review an application
prior to filing to make sure it is in its
best form.
I more often review the references
cited by the examiner but not utilized
in the rejection.
I more frequently contact the SPE or
TC Ombudsman when an Examiner is
non-responsive.
I have a better understanding of how
and when to utilize processes run
through the CRU and PTAB.

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2. Please rate your level of agreement with the following statements:
N/A I have
not
submitted an
application
Neither
since taking
Disagree or
STEPP
Disagree Strongly Disagree Somewhat
Agree
Agree Somewhat Agree Strongly
courses
With my increased
understanding of Examiners'
points of view, conversations
with Examiners are more
constructive.
With my increased
understanding of Examiners'
points of view, interactions
with examiners lead to the
identification of allowable
subject matter earlier in
prosecution.
With my increased
understanding of Examiners'
points of view, I more
effectively and effectively
respond to issues identified
in an office action.

3. Having taken a previous STEPP course, would you be interested in taking an advanced course designed
for experienced agents/attorneys? If yes, which topics, related to examination practice and procedure, would
you like to see made available?
Not Interested

Somewhat
Interested

Moderately
Interested

Very Interested

35 USC 101 - Subject Matter Eligibility
Double Patenting and Restriction
35 USC 102 - Anticipation
35 USC 103 - Obviousness
Claim Interpretation
35 USC 112(a)
35 USC 112(b)
35 USC 112(f)

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STEPP Overall Evaluation & Future Advanced Courses
Conclusion

4. Do you have any additional comments regarding the STEPP Program?

Thank you for completing our survey!
Clicking the 'Done' button below will submit your responses, close the survey window, and redirect
you to the public USPTO website.
Click 'Done' when you are satisfied that your answers are complete.

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