37 CFR 1.102 加速專利審查

一般來說，專利申請案的審查程序是first-in and first-out，先進先出原則，審查委員的卷宗始終都是從上面拿，新來的卷宗則會從下方進入，不會改變順序，但仍有特殊情況可以讓審查委員改變審查順序，在美國37CFR1.102中就提出一些會加速審查的方案；

(a)其中描述，審查委員主管(Director)可以下命令要求加速審理，但不是改變審查順序，而是一個加速審理的行政命令，申請人亦可如(b段)提出加速審查的請求，或在(c或d段)的規定下提出請願

(b)申請案描述的發明在特定領域中為少有且重要的，使得政府部門主管要求要馬上處理的案子

(c)提出以下幾點懮惠理由之一的請願(petition)，說明該申請案需要加速審理，此類為免費加速！包括：(1) 申請人年紀老邁或是有健康的問題；(2)該發明明顯為(i)可改善環境品質(ii)對能源發展與節約有貢獻(iii)反恐怖

(d)其他不同於上段(c)的請願則需要付費，如申請人自行提出Examination Support Document的審查報告，可參考：http://enpan.blogspot.com/2009/09/blog-post_10.html

[原文]
37 CFR 1.102 Advancement of examination.

(a) Applications will not be advanced out of turn for examination or for further action except as provided by this part, or upon order of the Director to expedite the business of the Office, or upon filing of a request under paragraph (b) of this section or upon filing a petition under paragraphs (c) or (d) of this section with a showing which, in the opinion of the Director, will justify so advancing it.

(b) Applications wherein the inventions are deemed of peculiar importance to some branch of the public service and the head of some department of the Government requests immediate action for that reason, may be advanced for examination.

(c) A petition to make an application special may be filed without a fee if the basis for the petition is:

(1) The applicant's age or health; or

(2) That the invention will materially:

(i) Enhance the quality of the environment;

(ii) Contribute to the development or conservation of energy resources; or

(iii) Contribute to countering terrorism.

(d) A petition to make an application special on grounds other than those referred to in paragraph (c) of this section must be accompanied by the fee set forth in § 1.17(h).

Ron