Patent Law FAQ
This FAQ answers all your questions about patent law, patent procedure, and the patent examination process.
MPEP 200 – Types and Status of Application; Benefit and Priority (2)
The MPEP does not specify a fixed deadline for submitting the English translation of a non-English provisional application. However, it indicates that the translation must be provided within a time period set by the USPTO. According to MPEP ¶ 2.38:
“If 1) and 2) are not filed (or if the benefit claim is not withdrawn) prior to the expiration of the time period set in this Office action, the present application will be abandoned.”
This suggests that the USPTO will set a specific deadline in an Office action, and you must comply with this deadline to avoid abandonment of your application.
For more information on non-English language, visit: non-English language.
For more information on provisional application, visit: provisional application.
Divisional applications and provisional applications are distinct types of patent applications with different purposes and characteristics:
- Divisional Application: Claims subject matter from a prior non-provisional application that is independent and distinct from the original claims.
- Provisional Application: A temporary application that establishes a priority date but does not mature into an issued patent.
The MPEP explicitly states in MPEP ¶ 2.01:
“An application claiming the benefit of a provisional application under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) should not be called a ‘divisional’ of the prior application.”
This distinction is important because divisional applications claim the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 120, while provisional applications are claimed under 35 U.S.C. 119(e).
For more information on Divisional application, visit: Divisional application.
For more information on patent law, visit: patent law.
For more information on provisional application, visit: provisional application.
For more information on USPTO, visit: USPTO.
MPEP 201 – Types of Applications (1)
Divisional applications and provisional applications are distinct types of patent applications with different purposes and characteristics:
- Divisional Application: Claims subject matter from a prior non-provisional application that is independent and distinct from the original claims.
- Provisional Application: A temporary application that establishes a priority date but does not mature into an issued patent.
The MPEP explicitly states in MPEP ¶ 2.01:
“An application claiming the benefit of a provisional application under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) should not be called a ‘divisional’ of the prior application.”
This distinction is important because divisional applications claim the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 120, while provisional applications are claimed under 35 U.S.C. 119(e).
For more information on Divisional application, visit: Divisional application.
For more information on patent law, visit: patent law.
For more information on provisional application, visit: provisional application.
For more information on USPTO, visit: USPTO.
MPEP 211 – Claiming the Benefit of an Earlier Filing Date Under 35 U.S.C. 120 and 119(e) (1)
The MPEP does not specify a fixed deadline for submitting the English translation of a non-English provisional application. However, it indicates that the translation must be provided within a time period set by the USPTO. According to MPEP ¶ 2.38:
“If 1) and 2) are not filed (or if the benefit claim is not withdrawn) prior to the expiration of the time period set in this Office action, the present application will be abandoned.”
This suggests that the USPTO will set a specific deadline in an Office action, and you must comply with this deadline to avoid abandonment of your application.
For more information on non-English language, visit: non-English language.
For more information on provisional application, visit: provisional application.
MPEP 300 – Ownership and Assignment (1)
No, including government support information on a provisional application cover sheet is not sufficient to meet the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 202(c)(6). The MPEP states:
Providing information concerning government support on a provisional application cover sheet does not satisfy the requirement of 35 U.S.C. 202(c)(6) which requires that the a statement be included within the specification of such application and any patent issuing thereon specifying that the invention was made with Government support and that the Government has certain rights in the invention.
The government license rights statement must be included within the specification itself, not just on the cover sheet.
MPEP 310 – Government License Rights to Contractor – Owned Inventions Made Under Federally Sponsored Research and Development (1)
No, including government support information on a provisional application cover sheet is not sufficient to meet the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 202(c)(6). The MPEP states:
Providing information concerning government support on a provisional application cover sheet does not satisfy the requirement of 35 U.S.C. 202(c)(6) which requires that the a statement be included within the specification of such application and any patent issuing thereon specifying that the invention was made with Government support and that the Government has certain rights in the invention.
The government license rights statement must be included within the specification itself, not just on the cover sheet.
Patent Law (4)
No, including government support information on a provisional application cover sheet is not sufficient to meet the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 202(c)(6). The MPEP states:
Providing information concerning government support on a provisional application cover sheet does not satisfy the requirement of 35 U.S.C. 202(c)(6) which requires that the a statement be included within the specification of such application and any patent issuing thereon specifying that the invention was made with Government support and that the Government has certain rights in the invention.
The government license rights statement must be included within the specification itself, not just on the cover sheet.
To correct inventorship in a provisional application, you must follow the procedure outlined in 37 CFR 1.48(d). The requirements include:
- A request signed by a party set forth in 37 CFR 1.33(b) to correct the inventorship, identifying each inventor by their legal name
- The processing fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(q)
The MPEP advises, When an inventor is being added, applicants should also file a corrected application data sheet or a new cover sheet providing the residence of all inventors.
To learn more:
The MPEP does not specify a fixed deadline for submitting the English translation of a non-English provisional application. However, it indicates that the translation must be provided within a time period set by the USPTO. According to MPEP ¶ 2.38:
“If 1) and 2) are not filed (or if the benefit claim is not withdrawn) prior to the expiration of the time period set in this Office action, the present application will be abandoned.”
This suggests that the USPTO will set a specific deadline in an Office action, and you must comply with this deadline to avoid abandonment of your application.
For more information on non-English language, visit: non-English language.
For more information on provisional application, visit: provisional application.
Divisional applications and provisional applications are distinct types of patent applications with different purposes and characteristics:
- Divisional Application: Claims subject matter from a prior non-provisional application that is independent and distinct from the original claims.
- Provisional Application: A temporary application that establishes a priority date but does not mature into an issued patent.
The MPEP explicitly states in MPEP ¶ 2.01:
“An application claiming the benefit of a provisional application under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) should not be called a ‘divisional’ of the prior application.”
This distinction is important because divisional applications claim the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 120, while provisional applications are claimed under 35 U.S.C. 119(e).
For more information on Divisional application, visit: Divisional application.
For more information on patent law, visit: patent law.
For more information on provisional application, visit: provisional application.
For more information on USPTO, visit: USPTO.
Patent Procedure (4)
No, including government support information on a provisional application cover sheet is not sufficient to meet the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 202(c)(6). The MPEP states:
Providing information concerning government support on a provisional application cover sheet does not satisfy the requirement of 35 U.S.C. 202(c)(6) which requires that the a statement be included within the specification of such application and any patent issuing thereon specifying that the invention was made with Government support and that the Government has certain rights in the invention.
The government license rights statement must be included within the specification itself, not just on the cover sheet.
To correct inventorship in a provisional application, you must follow the procedure outlined in 37 CFR 1.48(d). The requirements include:
- A request signed by a party set forth in 37 CFR 1.33(b) to correct the inventorship, identifying each inventor by their legal name
- The processing fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(q)
The MPEP advises, When an inventor is being added, applicants should also file a corrected application data sheet or a new cover sheet providing the residence of all inventors.
To learn more:
The MPEP does not specify a fixed deadline for submitting the English translation of a non-English provisional application. However, it indicates that the translation must be provided within a time period set by the USPTO. According to MPEP ¶ 2.38:
“If 1) and 2) are not filed (or if the benefit claim is not withdrawn) prior to the expiration of the time period set in this Office action, the present application will be abandoned.”
This suggests that the USPTO will set a specific deadline in an Office action, and you must comply with this deadline to avoid abandonment of your application.
For more information on non-English language, visit: non-English language.
For more information on provisional application, visit: provisional application.
Divisional applications and provisional applications are distinct types of patent applications with different purposes and characteristics:
- Divisional Application: Claims subject matter from a prior non-provisional application that is independent and distinct from the original claims.
- Provisional Application: A temporary application that establishes a priority date but does not mature into an issued patent.
The MPEP explicitly states in MPEP ¶ 2.01:
“An application claiming the benefit of a provisional application under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) should not be called a ‘divisional’ of the prior application.”
This distinction is important because divisional applications claim the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 120, while provisional applications are claimed under 35 U.S.C. 119(e).
For more information on Divisional application, visit: Divisional application.
For more information on patent law, visit: patent law.
For more information on provisional application, visit: provisional application.
For more information on USPTO, visit: USPTO.