Patent Law FAQ
This FAQ answers all your questions about patent law, patent procedure, and the patent examination process.
(B) (1)
Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) is significant because it creates a statutory bar to obtaining a patent. According to the MPEP, If the publication or issue date of the reference is more than 1 year prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention (MPEP § 2139.01), the reference qualifies as prior art under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b).
This means that any public disclosure, such as a publication, patent, public use, or sale that occurred more than one year before the effective filing date of the claimed invention can prevent the issuance of a patent.
It’s important to note that there’s a grace period provision: Publications, patents, public uses and sales, however, will not bar a patent if the 1-year grace period otherwise ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday and the application’s U.S. filing date is the next succeeding business day.
To learn more:
MPEP 2100 – Patentability (3)
Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) is significant because it creates a statutory bar to obtaining a patent. According to the MPEP, If the publication or issue date of the reference is more than 1 year prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention (MPEP § 2139.01), the reference qualifies as prior art under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b).
This means that any public disclosure, such as a publication, patent, public use, or sale that occurred more than one year before the effective filing date of the claimed invention can prevent the issuance of a patent.
It’s important to note that there’s a grace period provision: Publications, patents, public uses and sales, however, will not bar a patent if the 1-year grace period otherwise ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday and the application’s U.S. filing date is the next succeeding business day.
To learn more:
The AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(A) exception applies broadly to U.S. patent documents. According to the MPEP:
The 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(A) exception may possibly apply to any U.S. patent document, regardless of its potential prior art date under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2). In other words, there is no grace period limitation to the applicability of the 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(A) exception.
This means that the exception can potentially be applied to any U.S. patent, U.S. patent application publication, or WIPO published application, regardless of when it was published or filed. The key factor is whether the subject matter was obtained directly or indirectly from the inventor or joint inventor.
To learn more:
While both exceptions relate to prior public disclosures by inventors, there are key differences:
- AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1)(B) applies to disclosures made within the grace period (1 year before the effective filing date).
- AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(B) has no grace period limitation and can apply to any U.S. patent document, regardless of its potential prior art date under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2).
The MPEP states: “There is no grace period limitation to the applicability of the AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(B) exception.” This means that an inventor’s public disclosure can potentially disqualify a later-filed U.S. patent document as prior art, even if that document was filed years after the inventor’s disclosure.
However, it’s important to note that if the inventor’s public disclosure is not within the grace period, it would still qualify as prior art under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and could not be excepted under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1).
To learn more:
MPEP 2139.02 – Determining Whether To Apply Pre – Aia 35 U.S.C. 102(A) (1)
Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) is significant because it creates a statutory bar to obtaining a patent. According to the MPEP, If the publication or issue date of the reference is more than 1 year prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention (MPEP § 2139.01), the reference qualifies as prior art under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b).
This means that any public disclosure, such as a publication, patent, public use, or sale that occurred more than one year before the effective filing date of the claimed invention can prevent the issuance of a patent.
It’s important to note that there’s a grace period provision: Publications, patents, public uses and sales, however, will not bar a patent if the 1-year grace period otherwise ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday and the application’s U.S. filing date is the next succeeding business day.
To learn more:
MPEP 2154.02(A) – Prior Art Exception Under Aia 35 U.S.C. 102(B)(2)(A) To Aia 35 U.S.C. 102(A)(2) (Inventor – Originated Disclosure Exception) (1)
The AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(A) exception applies broadly to U.S. patent documents. According to the MPEP:
The 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(A) exception may possibly apply to any U.S. patent document, regardless of its potential prior art date under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2). In other words, there is no grace period limitation to the applicability of the 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(A) exception.
This means that the exception can potentially be applied to any U.S. patent, U.S. patent application publication, or WIPO published application, regardless of when it was published or filed. The key factor is whether the subject matter was obtained directly or indirectly from the inventor or joint inventor.
To learn more:
MPEP 2154.02(B) – Prior Art Exception Under Aia 35 U.S.C. 102(B)(2)(B) To Aia 35 U.S.C. 102(A)(2) (Inventor – Originated Prior Public Disclosure Exception) (1)
While both exceptions relate to prior public disclosures by inventors, there are key differences:
- AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1)(B) applies to disclosures made within the grace period (1 year before the effective filing date).
- AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(B) has no grace period limitation and can apply to any U.S. patent document, regardless of its potential prior art date under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2).
The MPEP states: “There is no grace period limitation to the applicability of the AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(B) exception.” This means that an inventor’s public disclosure can potentially disqualify a later-filed U.S. patent document as prior art, even if that document was filed years after the inventor’s disclosure.
However, it’s important to note that if the inventor’s public disclosure is not within the grace period, it would still qualify as prior art under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and could not be excepted under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1).
To learn more:
MPEP 2500 – Maintenance Fees (1)
Failure to pay a maintenance fee on time can result in the expiration of the patent. According to MPEP 2506:
“A patent that expires for failure of payment will expire on the day following the anniversary date the patent was granted in the 4th, 8th, or 12th year after the grant.”
The expiration occurs even if the last day for payment falls on a weekend or holiday. The MPEP clarifies:
“For example, if the grace period for paying a maintenance fee with a surcharge ended on a Saturday, the maintenance fee and surcharge could be paid on the next succeeding business day, e.g., Monday, but the patent will have expired after midnight on Saturday (e.g., on Sunday) if the maintenance fee and surcharge were not paid on the following Monday.”
It’s crucial for patent owners to be aware of these deadlines and ensure timely payment to maintain their patent rights.
To learn more:
MPEP 2506 – Times For Submitting Maintenance Fee Payments (1)
Failure to pay a maintenance fee on time can result in the expiration of the patent. According to MPEP 2506:
“A patent that expires for failure of payment will expire on the day following the anniversary date the patent was granted in the 4th, 8th, or 12th year after the grant.”
The expiration occurs even if the last day for payment falls on a weekend or holiday. The MPEP clarifies:
“For example, if the grace period for paying a maintenance fee with a surcharge ended on a Saturday, the maintenance fee and surcharge could be paid on the next succeeding business day, e.g., Monday, but the patent will have expired after midnight on Saturday (e.g., on Sunday) if the maintenance fee and surcharge were not paid on the following Monday.”
It’s crucial for patent owners to be aware of these deadlines and ensure timely payment to maintain their patent rights.
To learn more:
Or (E) (1)
Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) is significant because it creates a statutory bar to obtaining a patent. According to the MPEP, If the publication or issue date of the reference is more than 1 year prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention (MPEP § 2139.01), the reference qualifies as prior art under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b).
This means that any public disclosure, such as a publication, patent, public use, or sale that occurred more than one year before the effective filing date of the claimed invention can prevent the issuance of a patent.
It’s important to note that there’s a grace period provision: Publications, patents, public uses and sales, however, will not bar a patent if the 1-year grace period otherwise ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday and the application’s U.S. filing date is the next succeeding business day.
To learn more:
Patent Law (4)
Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) is significant because it creates a statutory bar to obtaining a patent. According to the MPEP, If the publication or issue date of the reference is more than 1 year prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention (MPEP § 2139.01), the reference qualifies as prior art under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b).
This means that any public disclosure, such as a publication, patent, public use, or sale that occurred more than one year before the effective filing date of the claimed invention can prevent the issuance of a patent.
It’s important to note that there’s a grace period provision: Publications, patents, public uses and sales, however, will not bar a patent if the 1-year grace period otherwise ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday and the application’s U.S. filing date is the next succeeding business day.
To learn more:
The AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(A) exception applies broadly to U.S. patent documents. According to the MPEP:
The 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(A) exception may possibly apply to any U.S. patent document, regardless of its potential prior art date under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2). In other words, there is no grace period limitation to the applicability of the 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(A) exception.
This means that the exception can potentially be applied to any U.S. patent, U.S. patent application publication, or WIPO published application, regardless of when it was published or filed. The key factor is whether the subject matter was obtained directly or indirectly from the inventor or joint inventor.
To learn more:
While both exceptions relate to prior public disclosures by inventors, there are key differences:
- AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1)(B) applies to disclosures made within the grace period (1 year before the effective filing date).
- AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(B) has no grace period limitation and can apply to any U.S. patent document, regardless of its potential prior art date under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2).
The MPEP states: “There is no grace period limitation to the applicability of the AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(B) exception.” This means that an inventor’s public disclosure can potentially disqualify a later-filed U.S. patent document as prior art, even if that document was filed years after the inventor’s disclosure.
However, it’s important to note that if the inventor’s public disclosure is not within the grace period, it would still qualify as prior art under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and could not be excepted under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1).
To learn more:
Failure to pay a maintenance fee on time can result in the expiration of the patent. According to MPEP 2506:
“A patent that expires for failure of payment will expire on the day following the anniversary date the patent was granted in the 4th, 8th, or 12th year after the grant.”
The expiration occurs even if the last day for payment falls on a weekend or holiday. The MPEP clarifies:
“For example, if the grace period for paying a maintenance fee with a surcharge ended on a Saturday, the maintenance fee and surcharge could be paid on the next succeeding business day, e.g., Monday, but the patent will have expired after midnight on Saturday (e.g., on Sunday) if the maintenance fee and surcharge were not paid on the following Monday.”
It’s crucial for patent owners to be aware of these deadlines and ensure timely payment to maintain their patent rights.
To learn more:
Patent Procedure (4)
Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) is significant because it creates a statutory bar to obtaining a patent. According to the MPEP, If the publication or issue date of the reference is more than 1 year prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention (MPEP § 2139.01), the reference qualifies as prior art under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b).
This means that any public disclosure, such as a publication, patent, public use, or sale that occurred more than one year before the effective filing date of the claimed invention can prevent the issuance of a patent.
It’s important to note that there’s a grace period provision: Publications, patents, public uses and sales, however, will not bar a patent if the 1-year grace period otherwise ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday and the application’s U.S. filing date is the next succeeding business day.
To learn more:
The AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(A) exception applies broadly to U.S. patent documents. According to the MPEP:
The 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(A) exception may possibly apply to any U.S. patent document, regardless of its potential prior art date under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2). In other words, there is no grace period limitation to the applicability of the 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(A) exception.
This means that the exception can potentially be applied to any U.S. patent, U.S. patent application publication, or WIPO published application, regardless of when it was published or filed. The key factor is whether the subject matter was obtained directly or indirectly from the inventor or joint inventor.
To learn more:
While both exceptions relate to prior public disclosures by inventors, there are key differences:
- AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1)(B) applies to disclosures made within the grace period (1 year before the effective filing date).
- AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(B) has no grace period limitation and can apply to any U.S. patent document, regardless of its potential prior art date under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2).
The MPEP states: “There is no grace period limitation to the applicability of the AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(B) exception.” This means that an inventor’s public disclosure can potentially disqualify a later-filed U.S. patent document as prior art, even if that document was filed years after the inventor’s disclosure.
However, it’s important to note that if the inventor’s public disclosure is not within the grace period, it would still qualify as prior art under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and could not be excepted under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1).
To learn more:
Failure to pay a maintenance fee on time can result in the expiration of the patent. According to MPEP 2506:
“A patent that expires for failure of payment will expire on the day following the anniversary date the patent was granted in the 4th, 8th, or 12th year after the grant.”
The expiration occurs even if the last day for payment falls on a weekend or holiday. The MPEP clarifies:
“For example, if the grace period for paying a maintenance fee with a surcharge ended on a Saturday, the maintenance fee and surcharge could be paid on the next succeeding business day, e.g., Monday, but the patent will have expired after midnight on Saturday (e.g., on Sunday) if the maintenance fee and surcharge were not paid on the following Monday.”
It’s crucial for patent owners to be aware of these deadlines and ensure timely payment to maintain their patent rights.
To learn more: