This Lunar New Year brings the Year of the Snake, a time known for wisdom and transformation.

The theme of transformation is particularly relevant to IP law here in the United States. Already in 2025, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has implemented a new fee schedule for trademark filings, and the new administration in Washington, D.C. could bring about major changes to the USPTO’s operations. 

The USPTO’s growing backlog means slower response and grant times for patent applications. The agency planned to hire hundreds of additional patent examiners, but this has been put on hold with the Trump administration’s hiring freeze on federal government workers.

Moreover, the new administration’s return-to-office mandate poses a major challenge to the USPTO, where more than 90 percent of employees currently work remotely.

Here’s what this means for you:

• Unless these policies change, obtaining critical patent and trademark protection for your creations will take longer.
• It’s more important than ever to work with experienced IP lawyers who are adept at drafting successful applications and overcoming administrative hassles.

At AEON Law, we stand ready to help our clients navigate this changing landscape. Our Track One Priority Patent Process incorporates AI technology to expedite patent applications. Moreover, our fixed-price patent and trademark services include unlimited revisions and agency communications, so you can modify your filing as needed without incurring additional costs.

We will continue to monitor these developments, and we will keep you informed with updated recommendations. Please let us know if we can assist you in any way.