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Overview

USPTO to Launch SPARK Pilot Program to Strengthen U.S. Standards Development Leadership

January 15, 2026

By: Timothy J. Meagher and Daniel A. Fleisher

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced the upcoming launch of the Standards Participation and Representation Kudos (SPARK) Pilot Program, as part of the USPTO’s recently established Standard-Essential Patent Working Group.

Under the SPARK Pilot, a limited number of acceleration certificates will be awarded to eligible U.S. entities that make technical contributions to, or otherwise meaningfully participate in, standards development organizations (SDOs). Recipients can redeem these certificates to accelerate examination or expedite appeals before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

Below is a comparison of SPARK with several current expedited examination programs:

 

Program

Key Criteria

Restrictions

Fees

Petition to Make Special

inventor age ≥ 65 or

inventor health

none

none

Track One Prioritized Examination

original application/RCE,

≤ 4 independent claims, and

≤ 30 total claims

20,000 granted requests/fiscal year

$4,515 (large)

$1,806 (small)

$903 (micro)

Streamlined Claim Set Pilot

noncontinuing original application,

1 independent claim, and

≤ 10 total claims

request by 10/27/2026 or

200 applications accepted in each participating Technology Center

$150 (large)

$60 (small)

$30 (micro)

SPARK Pilot

eligible U.S. entity and

technical contribution to SDO or

meaningful participation in SDO

TBD

TBD

 

Entities with current or planned involvement in SDO activities should review the forthcoming program guidelines carefully, as SPARK may influence both standards strategy and patent prosecution planning.

More information about the SPARK Pilot is available at the USPTO bulletin. Detailed program eligibility criteria, application procedures, and terms and conditions will be released when the pilot launches.