When the U.S. patent system officially completes its transition to a first to file framework, the speed with which inventors assess and commercialize inventions could take greater precedence than ever before.
image: http://feeds.directnews.co.uk/feedtrack/justcopyright.gif?feedid=3832&itemid=800924601 --- # [](https://www.innovation-asset.com/) - [Decipher®](https://www.innovation-asset.com/products-decipher) - [Services](https://www.innovation-asset.com/products/professional-services-0) - [Resources](https://www.innovation-asset.com/resources) - [Blog](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog) - [About Us](https://www.innovation-asset.com/about) - [Contact Us](https://www.innovation-asset.com/contact) # Innovation Asset Blog # Agility, awareness triumph in first to file framework by [Peter Ackerman](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/author/peter-ackerman) One of the America Invents Act's most significant provisions may not go into effect until March, but when it does, a flurry of activity could follow shortly thereafter. When the U.S. patent system officially completes its transition to a [first to file](https://www.innovation-asset.com/ip_strategy/business_of_ip.aspx) framework, the speed with which inventors assess and commercialize inventions could take greater precedence than ever before. The new legislation may give added priority to filing dates, but that is the not the only factor for consideration when weighing applications. According to UCLA professor and Brookings Institute fellow John Villasenor, patent approval will [hinge on the interplay](http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnvillasenor/2012/12/07/how-entrepreneurs-can-thrive-under-the-first-inventor-to-file-patent-system/) of formal filing dates as well as any previous public disclosures related to that invention. According to the Metro East Legal Journal, this [could actually make it easier](http://madisonrecord.com/news/249923-reform-aside-experts-say-suits-from-patent-trolls-continue-to-increase) for savvy companies to impede the progress of flat-footed competitors. Particularly in an age of readily available digital information, innovators must ensure they understand their portfolio and its potential better than anyone else. The silver lining for smaller entities that may be intimidated by the patenting resources of larger competitors is that they typically hold the advantage in terms of administrative efficiency. As Villasenor noted, sprawling corporate bureaucracy could slow application turnaround time whereas agile independent inventors can act on opportunities as soon as they're spotted.  ### [Peter Ackerman](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/author/peter-ackerman) Founder & CEO, Innovation Asset Group, Inc. [December 11, 2012](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/agility-awareness-triumph-in-first-to-file-framework) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Introducing Decipher® ### Categories - [Intellectual Property Management (459)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/intellectual-property-management) - [Commercialization and Licensing (210)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/commercialization-and-licensing) - [Invention Disclosure (201)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/invention-disclosure) - [Innovation Strategy (20)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/innovation-strategy) - [Ideas for Good (6)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/ideas-for-good) - [Innovation Team (3)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/topic/innovation-team) ### News Archives - [January 2013 (26)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2013/01) - [September 2012 (25)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/09) - [October 2012 (22)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/10) - [November 2012 (22)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/11) - [November 2010 (21)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2010/11) - [February 2011 (21)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2011/02) - [July 2012 (21)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/07) - [December 2012 (21)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/12) - [January 2012 (20)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/01) - [March 2012 (20)](https://www.innovation-asset.com/blog/archive/2012/03) ##### Portland, Oregon USA ##### © Innovation Asset Group, Inc. ##### [Privacy Policy](https://www.innovation-asset.com/privacy-policy/) | [Terms & Conditions](https://www.innovation-asset.com/terms-and-conditions/) | [Contact Us](https://www.innovation-asset.com/contact/) -