US Patent System - First to File

The US is going to be changing to a first-to-file system starting March 16, 2013.  The system as it exists today is the first-to-invent system as was changed in 2011 under the America Invents Act.  With the new system we will join every other country in the first-to-file approach.  The theory is that we will bring back efficiencies with the patent system.   Check out this law review of the different changes coming - link.