Examiner Bernard E Cothran has allowed 181 of 390 decided applications (46%) in Computer Architecture, Software, and Information Security.
Bernard E Cothran holds a public record of 434 total applications across four art units in Technology Center 2100 (Computer Architecture, Software, and Information Security). Of 390 disposed applications, 181 were allowed, yielding an overall allowance rate of 46%. The examiner's record spans multiple art units (2123, 2128, 2147, 2188), and allowance rates across these units range from 27% to 65%. This pooled figure reflects decided cases only and aggregates outcomes across different subject areas within TC 2100.
This record presents pooled data across multiple art units, meaning the 46% allowance rate is an aggregate across different areas of TC 2100, not a single-unit statistic. Allowance rates vary by art unit (27% to 65% range), so a specific application's record depends on which unit examines it. These figures describe past outcomes and are not predictions about any individual application.
These are aggregate statistics from this examiner's past public record — not predictions about any specific application. The per-art-unit figures below show how the record varies across art units. Our approach to patent prosecution →
Each section benchmarks this examiner against that art unit's average. Figures are this examiner's own public record within the art unit; the overall rate above pools them.
Primarily examines machine learning, and neural-network / biological-model computing.
Allowance rate for applications with an examiner interview versus without one.
A correlation, not proof that interviews cause allowances. Based on 94 decided applications with an interview and 122 without.
Primarily examines computer-aided design (CAD).
Allowance rate for applications with an examiner interview versus without one.
A correlation, not proof that interviews cause allowances. Based on 35 decided applications with an interview and 29 without.
Primarily examines artificial-intelligence and machine-learning methods.
Allowance rate for applications with an examiner interview versus without one.
A correlation, not proof that interviews cause allowances. Based on 43 decided applications with an interview and 30 without.
Primarily examines neural-network / biological-model computing, and machine learning.
Based on 37 applications — too small a sample to characterize the rejection mix reliably; shown for completeness.
Methodology. This page pools every art unit in which Examiner Bernard E Cothran has a public record within Technology Center 2100. Statistics are computed from publicly available USPTO records, refreshed on a recurring schedule. This page's data was last updated June 25, 2026. The overall allowance rate is total allowed divided by total decided applications (allowed plus abandoned) across all art units — not an average of the per-art-unit rates; pending applications are excluded. Figures are rounded for display. Pooled sample: 434 applications.
Lynch LLP is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Examiner statistics are derived from publicly available USPTO data.
These statistics describe past examiner behavior and do not predict the outcome of any particular application. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Where this page compares an examiner's allowance rate to an art-unit average, that comparison is a factual description of the public record, not a characterization of any individual examiner's conduct or competence.
This page is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing it. Full disclaimers →
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING — Sean Lynch, Partner, Lynch LLP