What is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) application?
A Continuation-In-Part (CIP) application is a type of patent application that contains a portion or all of the disclosure of an earlier application and adds matter not disclosed in the earlier parent application. The new matter in a CIP application can be claimed, but it may affect the effective filing date of certain claims.
According to MPEP 2133.01, “When applicant files a continuation-in-part application, none of whose claims are supported by the parent application under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph, the effective filing date is the filing date of the child CIP.”
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 2100 - Patentability,
MPEP 2133.01 - Rejections Of Continuation - In - Part (Cip) Applications,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure