manity Program. Patents for Humanity is an awards competition that recognizes innovators who use technology to meet global humanitarian challenges.On March 8, in recognition of International Women’s Day, the USPTO and other Global IP offices shared a joint statement recognizing the importance of diversity in innovation and creativity and the value that women bring to economic progress worldwide. Director Kathi Vidal also delivered remarks at Women in IP: Diversity and Inclusion.The USPTO’s Council for Inclusive Innovation launched the First-Time Filer Expedited Examination Pilot Program, which expedites initial feedback on patent applications in a first office action filed by “micro-entities” who are first-time filers for patent rights.On March 28, the USPTO’s Office of the Chief Economist released an Economic Note looking at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment in IP-intensive industries.Notices, Guidance, and RequestsFirst-Time Filer Expedited Examination Pilot Program, 88 Fed. Reg. 14607 (March 9, 2023) [Announcing the First-Time Filer Expedited Examination Pilot Program, which is designed to increase accessibility to the patent system for inventors who are new to the patent application process and which expedites the first Office action for program participants]Manual of Patent Examining Procedure, Ninth Edition, Revision of July 2022, 88 Fed. Reg. 13437 (March 3, 2023) [Announcing publication of the July 2022 revision of the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) in February 2023]Final RulesSetting and Adjusting Patent Fees during Fiscal Year 2020, 88 Fed. Reg. 18052 (March 27, 2023) [Delaying the effective date of fees for patent applications that are not filed in the DOCX format until June 30, 2023]Reducing Patent Fees for Small Entities and Micro Entities under the Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022, 88 Fed. Reg. 17147 (March 22, 2023) [Increasing fee discounts for small entities from 50% to 60% and fee discounts for micro entities from 75% to 80% for fees for filin