What types of documents are included in patent family information?
Patent family information encompasses a wide range of related patent documents. According to MPEP 901.07, these documents include:
“…all patents and patent publications that are related to a particular patent document.”
Specifically, patent family information may include:
- Issued patents in various countries
- Published patent applications
- Continuation applications
- Divisional applications
- Continuation-in-part applications
- PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) applications
- Priority documents
By examining these related documents, patent examiners can gain a comprehensive understanding of an invention’s development and its protection across different jurisdictions.
To learn more: