@74c7c9cd Yes, I've seen some evidence of the Office massaging things a bit w/r/t milestone numbers. I'm not entirely sure that hasn't happened here; picking (what appears to be) a Black female entrepreneur would be very much in line with what I've seen from the Office recently. On the other hand, I've seen no publicity around this so 🤷🏻‍♀️ 

 @74c7c9cd Okay, so the OG is out and, yes, it looks like they swapped the "winning" app for one filed by a Chinese inventor: 

https://mastodon.social/@design_law/111132538415415319 

 @e7f76f0d Interesting, thanks! 

(I wonder if the inventor that loses out in a case like this would ever have a claim against the USPTO?) 

 @74c7c9cd IDK on what theory. I can't imagine anyone has a right to a certain patent number. But it's an interesting question.