Recently, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) shared an important update: it has increased the number of Track One prioritized examination requests allowed each year. This is great news for applicants who want faster decisions—whether their patent gets approved or not—so they can move ahead without long delays.
If you’re thinking about applying for a patent, there are a few key things to understand. Here’s a simple breakdown of what this means and how it can help you.
The Role of USPTO in IP Protection
The USPTO is a U.S. government office that helps protect ideas and brands. It gives patents for new inventions and trademarks for names, logos, and slogans, so others can’t copy them. It checks applications to make sure they meet the rules and gives official rights to inventors and businesses. Working under the Department of Commerce, the USPTO helps support creativity, business growth, and innovation by protecting the unique ideas and identities of creators and companies.
What Is Track One Prioritized Examination?
The Track One option from the USPTO is a faster way to get your patent reviewed. It’s available for utility and plant patent applications and gives you a final decision—approval or rejection—within 12 months or less. This is a great choice for startups, individual inventors, or businesses that need quick patent protection to raise funds or launch their product early.
In comparison, the regular patent process takes more time, usually 18 to 36 months or longer, depending on the type of invention and how busy the USPTO is. This option doesn’t require extra fees, making it a more affordable choice for those who don’t need a patent urgently.
Earlier, only 15,000 applications per year were accepted under the Track One system. But from July 8, 2025, that number has increased to 20,000 applications per year, giving more people the chance to use this faster process.
Updated Track One Patent Rules
The only update made to the Track One fast-track patent process is the increase in the number of applications allowed each year. Earlier, the USPTO accepted a maximum of 15,000 requests annually, but starting July 8, 2025, this limit has gone up to 20,000 applications per year. Everything else about the process—like how you apply, who can apply, and the government fees—remains the same. This change simply means that 5,000 more applicants will now have a chance each year to use this quicker examination option.
Why the Track One Update Is Important for Inventors and Startups
- Startups and tech businesses need quicker patent approvals to launch products and attract investors.
- The USPTO increased the annual Track One limit, giving more applicants access to faster examination.
- Program quality and speed will stay the same, even with the higher number of requests.
- The USPTO confirmed this change won’t affect regular application timelines or quality.
- The increase was made possible by ending older programs and reassigning examiner resources.
By increasing the limit for Track One requests, the USPTO is helping more creators and companies get quicker decisions on their patents. This change supports innovation without slowing down the regular patent process or affecting the quality of review.