What is an Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) in patent prosecution?
An Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) is a formal document submitted to the USPTO during patent prosecution to disclose relevant prior art or other material information. According to 37 CFR 1.97, as referenced in the MPEP, The provisions of 37 CFR 1.97 specify when an information disclosure statement will be considered as a matter of right and when a certification must be made and/or fee submitted in order to have the information disclosure statement considered.
The IDS is a crucial part of fulfilling the duty of disclosure to the USPTO, ensuring that the patent examiner has all relevant information when considering the patentability of an invention.
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 2000 - Duty Of Disclosure,
MPEP 2003 - Disclosure -- When Made,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure