The USPTO has expanded the GreenTech pilot program, according to the November 10 Federal Register.

“The USPTO is hereby expanding the eligibility for the pilot program to include unexamined nonreissue non-provisional utility applications filed on or after December 8, 2009. The USPTO is also extending the pilot program through December 31, 2011. Specifically, the Green Technology Pilot Program will run until 3,000 petitions have been granted (as set forth in the Green Technology Notice) or until December 31, 2011, whichever occurs earlier. Accordingly, if fewer than 3,000 grantable petitions are received, the pilot program will end on December 31, 2011.”

Note – without the initial classification limits, the program is very accessible. There is still a requirement to show how your device improves the environment, but this should not be  difficult if you plan ahead and include some information relating to an energy-consumption problem solved, or a pollution-problem solved.

In related news, the author was quoted in Director Kappos’s blog here.