Dudas said the program promises a 12-month final decision on patentability if applicants abide by a number of guidelines. To qualify, they must file electronically; conduct a search of "prior art" and submit all prior art that is close to their invention; include only 20 claims; and agree to an interview with an examiner, among other prerequisites.

"In every case we've been able to do that exam within one year," Dudas said. In one instance, there was approval within 17 days for a technology that would have otherwise taken more than 20 months, he said. The percentage of applications approved through the program is almost double that of the traditional route. That's because applicants have their ducks in a row when the examiner sits down to review the materials, he said.