Standards Participation and Representation Kudos (SPARK) Pilot Program
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is launching the Standards Participation and Representation Kudos (SPARK) Pilot Program to incentivize meaningful participation in standards development organizations (SDOs) by U.S. small and medium-sized businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations. Under
| Agency | Commerce Department, Patent and Trademark Office |
|---|---|
| Document type | Notice |
| Published | 2026-06-03 |
| Summary | The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is launching the Standards Participation and Representation Kudos (SPARK) Pilot Program to incentivize meaningful participation in standards development organizations (SDOs) by U.S. small and medium-sized businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations. Under the pilot program, examination of certain patent applications and ex parte appeals to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) may be expedited if the U.S.-domiciled juristic applicant meaningfully participated in a voluntary consensus-based SDO and meets the requirements specified in this notice. The application or appeal being expedited does not need to be related to the SDO |
| Document number | 2026-11098 |
| Official record | https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/03/2026-11098/standards-participation-and-representation-kudos-spark-pilot-program |