What is the Digital Access Service (DAS) for priority documents?
The Digital Access Service (DAS) is an electronic system that allows participating intellectual property offices to exchange priority documents securely. For international design applications: Applicants can authorize the retrieval of priority documents through DAS. This eliminates the need to manually file certified copies in some cases. The USPTO or IB can retrieve the priority document…
Read MoreHow does the disclosure requirement differ for provisional and nonprovisional applications when claiming benefit?
The disclosure requirements for claiming the benefit of provisional and nonprovisional applications differ in some aspects: Provisional Applications (35 U.S.C. 119(e)): For a nonprovisional application to claim the benefit of a provisional application: The written description and drawings (if any) of the provisional application must adequately support and enable the subject matter claimed in the…
Read MoreHow does a divisional application differ from other continuing applications?
How does a divisional application differ from other continuing applications? A divisional application is a unique type of continuing application that focuses on a distinct invention separated from a parent application. According to the MPEP: A divisional application is one filed for an invention which has been disclosed and claimed, but not allowed, in a…
Read MoreWhat is the filing date of a divisional application?
What is the filing date of a divisional application? A divisional application is entitled to the filing date of the parent application. According to MPEP 201.06, “A divisional application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date of the prior-filed application if filed as a nonprovisional application that discloses and claims only subject matter…
Read MoreWhat are the requirements for filing a divisional application?
The key requirements for filing a divisional application include: The divisional application must be filed before the patenting or abandonment of the parent application. It must claim only subject matter disclosed in the parent application. It must be filed under 37 CFR 1.53(b) (or 37 CFR 1.53(d) if it is a design application). The inventorship…
Read MoreHow does the inventorship of a divisional application relate to the parent application?
The inventorship of a divisional application must include at least one inventor named in the parent application, but it doesn’t have to be identical. The MPEP states: The inventorship in the divisional application must include at least one inventor named in the prior-filed application, and the divisional application must claim the benefit of the prior-filed…
Read MoreCan a divisional application include new matter?
No, a divisional application cannot include new matter that was not disclosed in the parent application. The MPEP 201.06 clearly states: ‘A divisional application is a later application for an independent or distinct invention, carved out of a prior application and disclosing and claiming only subject matter disclosed in the prior application.’ This means: The…
Read MoreWhat is the required oath or declaration for a divisional application?
What is the required oath or declaration for a divisional application? For a divisional application, a new oath or declaration is generally required. However, there are exceptions: If the application is filed on or after September 16, 2012, a copy of the oath or declaration from the prior nonprovisional application may be used, provided that…
Read MoreHow does a divisional application affect patent term adjustment?
A divisional application’s patent term adjustment (PTA) is calculated independently from its parent application. The MPEP 201.06 provides guidance on this matter: ‘A divisional application will receive its own patent term adjustment under 35 U.S.C. 154(b), which will be calculated based on the prosecution of the divisional application itself.’ Key points to understand: The divisional…
Read MoreHow does a divisional application affect the patent term?
A divisional application does not extend the patent term beyond that of the parent application. The term of a patent issuing from a divisional application is calculated from the filing date of the earliest application for which a benefit is claimed under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c), excluding any benefit claims to provisional…
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