By Donald Zuhn — In a notice published last week in the Federal Register (87 Fed. Reg. 33750), the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced the implementation of the Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program, "which is designed to positively impact the climate by accelerating the examination of patent applications for innovations that reduce greenhouse gas emissions" and "encourage research, development and innovation in the climate space." Applications accepted under the pilot program will be advanced out of turn (i.e., accorded special status) for a first action on the merits. Applications accepted under the pilot program will not, however, have to…
