What types of national applications can be filed under U.S. patent laws?
Under U.S. patent laws, several types of national applications can be filed. The MPEP 201.01 states:
‘National applications include original (nonprovisional), reissue, and reexamination applications (including supplemental examination proceedings). The original application includes continuation, divisional, and continuation-in-part applications. National applications may be filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) or (b), 161, or 171.’
To break this down:
- Original (nonprovisional) applications: Standard utility patent applications
- Reissue applications: To correct errors in already granted patents
- Reexamination applications: To request the USPTO to reexamine an existing patent
- Continuation applications: Based on an earlier-filed application
- Divisional applications: Derived from a parent application to pursue different inventions
- Continuation-in-part applications: Adding new matter to a parent application
- Design patent applications (under 35 U.S.C. 171)
- Plant patent applications (under 35 U.S.C. 161)
For more information on reissue, visit: reissue.
For more information on USPTO, visit: USPTO.
Topics:
MPEP 200 - Types and Status of Application; Benefit and Priority,
MPEP 201 - Types of Applications,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure