Here is an chart re patent timelines:...

http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/process/tm_sec44etimeline.jspe

The last congress was awash in bills aimed at doing something about the long delays in Patent approval. Waxman had a Bill; Leheay had a Bill, Hatch had a Bill. The end result was putting into law the deadline for acting on a patent...

That is why I think EDIG 2004 application wasa denied to clear the decks of all the back log. So DM laid out the basis for an expeditious examination and approval.

Gil...