The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued the first patent under its accelerated examination program that started in August 2006. The patent for a printer ink gauge was issued to Brother International, Ltd. in six months under the accelerated program. The average review time for ink cartridge applications is 25.4 months.

The USPTO reports:

To be eligible for accelerated examination, applicants are required to provide specific information, known as an examiner support document...In return, the USPTO issues a final decision by the examiner within 12 mo  More ...