What are the requirements for including a copyright or mask work notice in a patent application?

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) allows the inclusion of copyright or mask work notices in design or utility patent applications under specific conditions:

• The notice must be placed adjacent to the copyrighted or mask work material.
• The content of the notice must be limited to elements required by law.
• A specific authorization must be included at the beginning of the specification.
• If included in drawings, the notice must comply with 37 CFR 1.84(s).

As stated in MPEP 608.01(w): The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will permit the inclusion of a copyright or mask work notice in a design or utility patent application, and thereby any patent issuing therefrom, which discloses material on which copyright or mask work protection has previously been established, under the following conditions…

To learn more:

• Copyright notice
• Mask work notice
• Patent application
• USPTO requirements