If you are in a hurry to get your patent application approved, well sit back and relax, because as of right now it can take nearly 3 years to approve it. That is right, 3 years. That is why so many products make it to market with the words patent pending on them. Companies have no desire to wait until the patent they are trying for is or is not approved. The US Patent Office though is hoping to institute a new system that will allow certain applicants a quicker review of what they submit. Of course they will have to pay more, though how much nobody has said. Companies that are going after green energy patents or something of that nature are being targeted for faster approvals. So as it looks now, not everyone will be able to get their patent in quicker. Most of us as it stands will have to wait the 3 years. So do not be discouraged, you are not the only one that has to wait. But keep posted on any new news coming out of the US Patent Office, it may bode well in the end for everyone.