How does priority claim affect the effective filing date in pre-AIA patent applications?

Priority claims can significantly impact the effective filing date of a claimed invention in pre-AIA patent applications. The MPEP 2139.01 states: “If the application properly claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to a provisional application, the effective filing date is the filing date of the provisional application for any claims which are fully supported under…

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What is the effective filing date under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102?

The effective filing date of a claimed invention under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 is generally the actual filing date of the U.S. application. However, there are three exceptions to this rule: (A) For continuation or divisional applications (B) For continuation-in-part applications (C) For applications claiming benefit to a provisional application As stated in the MPEP,…

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What is the effective filing date for claims in a continuation-in-part application?

The effective filing date for claims in a continuation-in-part (CIP) application depends on whether the claims are supported by the parent application: “If the application is a continuation-in-part of an earlier U.S. application or international application, any claims in the new application not supported by the specification and claims of the parent application have an…

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How is the effective filing date determined for a continuation or divisional application?

For continuation or divisional applications, the effective filing date is determined as follows: “If the application is a continuation or divisional of one or more earlier U.S. applications or international applications and if the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 120 or 365(c) have been satisfied, the effective filing date of the claimed invention is the same…

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What is the difference between the actual filing date and the effective filing date in pre-AIA patent law?

In pre-AIA patent law, the actual filing date and the effective filing date can be different. The MPEP 2139.01 explains: “The effective filing date of a claimed invention is determined on a claim-by-claim basis and not an application-by-application basis. It is possible for different claims in a single application to have different effective filing dates.”…

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