As the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office endeavors to find solutions for managing its vast workload, it is considering changes that, if accepted, will significantly alter the course of the patent process. These proposed rules are still under serious debate and the USPTO has requested comments and alternate proposals from the public. This article will discuss the implications of the proposed rule changes and how they may impact Massachusetts businesses. Long Delays The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) currently faces unreasonably long delays in the initial examination of patent applications.... .