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USPTO’s Growing AI Examination Toolkit Highlights Value of Skilled Human Insights in Pre-Filing Strategy

Timothy Snowden, CPP CLP

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The USPTO announced on Aug, 15 that USPTO utility patent examiners have been using Similarity Search (SimSearch) since 2022. SimSearch is an AI-assisted tool within the Patents End-to-End (PE2E) platform, to enhance prior art searches. By analyzing the text of a patent application, SimSearch generates AI-driven queries, ranks relevant results, and allows refinement by emphasizing key details—providing examiners with a more powerful way to uncover relevant prior art. As we previously reported, AI searching has been expanded to design patents. The USPTO has also recently announced the use of AI for junior examiners in combing the regulations and guidance while writing Office Actions, for example.

For technology entrepreneurs, this advancement reinforces the need to conduct even more rigorous searches before even drafting a patent application. Leveraging cutting-edge search tools in the hands of experienced professionals (like our AI-enhanced search and market analysis platforms)—combined with the guidance and insight of seasoned patent practitioners—enables identification of the most likely commercially valuable and protectable features of your inventions. Your entire patent application can then be engineered for patentability around those features, which typically increases patentability, defensibility, and monetization potential.

To discuss how to strategically shape your patent portfolio for increased strength and value – combining AI algorithm strengths in big data analysis with guidance and insight that only human experts can provide, contact a member of Synchrony IP.

#PatentStrategy #TechEntrepreneurs #IPCommercialization #PriorArtSearch #InnovationProtection #SynchronyIP #PatentAI #AI

Author

  • Timothy D. Snowden is a Certified Patent Practitioner and Certified Licensing Professional with over a decade of experience guiding innovators in building and monetizing high-value patent portfolios. As Founder and Principal of Definitive Patents and a Founding Member of Synchrony IP, he has successfully led patent prosecution and portfolio development for startups, family businesses, and publicly traded companies across industries including medical devices, agriculture, software, and advanced engineering. A magna cum laude graduate of Texas A&M University in Biomedical Engineering, Snowden combines technical expertise with strategic business insight to help entrepreneurs secure patents tightly aligned with commercial goals. He has served as Patent Prosecution Chair at a boutique firm, earned commendation from the Patent Trials and Appeal Board, and continues to shape the profession as a Director with the National Council on Patent Practicum. His mission is to empower innovators worldwide with creative patent strategies that transform inventions into marketable assets.
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Timothy Snowden, CPP CLP

Timothy D. Snowden is a Certified Patent Practitioner and Certified Licensing Professional with over a decade of experience guiding innovators in building and monetizing high-value patent portfolios. As Founder and Principal of Definitive Patents and a Founding Member of Synchrony IP, he has successfully led patent prosecution and portfolio development for startups, family businesses, and publicly traded companies across industries including medical devices, agriculture, software, and advanced engineering. A magna cum laude graduate of Texas A&M University in Biomedical Engineering, Snowden combines technical expertise with strategic business insight to help entrepreneurs secure patents tightly aligned with commercial goals. He has served as Patent Prosecution Chair at a boutique firm, earned commendation from the Patent Trials and Appeal Board, and continues to shape the profession as a Director with the National Council on Patent Practicum. His mission is to empower innovators worldwide with creative patent strategies that transform inventions into marketable assets.

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