Under the Fast-Track Appeals Pilot Program at the USPTO, appellants can have their ex parte appeals advanced out of turn. Appellants simply file a petition to request fast-track review of their their ex parte appeal and pay a $400 petition fee. The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB or Board) has set a target of issuing a decision within six months from the date the petition is granted and the ex parte appeal is entered into the pilot program. A link to the Fast-Track Appeals Pilot Program can be found here.

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