Inspired by a listener’s question, Megan does a deep dive into art unit 3649: the “pro se” art unit. The USPTO created this art unit in 2015 to help guide pro se applicants—those who choose to represent themselves before the USPTO—through the prosecution process. The art unit includes experienced patent examiners from every technology area and is designed to provide additional guidance to applicants who are not familiar with the process. Not surprisingly, this art unit has some unique statistical characteristics: from how applicants are utilizing the Track One program to the varying subject matter of applications being filed.