In October 2025, the USPTO issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (“NPRM”) to revise procedures for IPRs before the PTAB.  In the NPRM, the USPTO cited and quoted the article Patent Protection: A Crucial Antitrust Tool for Increasing Innovation , authored by the Honorable Paul R. Michel (ret.) and Dowd Scheffel partner Matthew J. Dowd .  The USPTO referenced the article to underscore the importance of reliable patent rights in fostering innovation and economic growth, partic