Squires' impact may explain drop in patent eligibility affirmance rate
By Nick Robertson ( August 5, 2026, 17:42 GMT | Comment) -- A small decline in the Patent Trial and Appeal Board affirmance rate of patent examiners' § 101 rejections could be explained by US Patent and Trademark Office Director John Squires' focus on broadening eligibility standards, according to a new analysis by McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff.Patent applicants who face examiner rejections on 35 USC § 101 eligibility grounds appear to stand a better chance at overcoming those rejections under US Patent and Trademark Office Director John Squires than previous leaders, according to a new analysis by McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff....
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