Intellectual Property

On April 1, 2026, USPTO Director John A. Squires issued an Official Gazette Notice introducing a new "pre-order procedure" for ex parte reexaminations, allowing patent owners to file a limited response—up to 30 pages, within 30 days of service of the request—arguing why the third-party request does not raise a substantial new question of patentability (SNQ) under 35 U.S.C. § 303(a).[1][2][3][7][8][9] This applies to requests filed on or after April 5, 2026, with no extensions, fees, or petitions required; submissions must be served on the requester and exclude § 325(d) arguments or prior analyses.[1][3][4][7][8] The USPTO will consider these papers in its SNQ determination, waiving rules in 37 CFR §§ 1.530 and 1.540 that previously barred owner input before ordering reexamination.[8][9]

Taiwan's National Security Bureau reported to lawmakers that China is intensifying efforts to acquire advanced semiconductor technology and talent from Taiwan to circumvent international "containment" measures, including U.S.-led export controls.[1][3][5][11] The agency detailed China's use of direct luring of high-tech industries like AI and semiconductors, indirect poaching via networks of firms, technology theft, and procurement of controlled goods to obtain Taiwan's advanced-process chips.[1][5] Taiwan has repeatedly busted such illegal networks and enforces strict laws to block tech transfers.[1][3]