How does a Joint Research Agreement affect prior art under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C)?
A Joint Research Agreement (JRA) can significantly affect how prior art is considered under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C). According to MPEP 2156: “35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) provides that disclosures shall not be prior art under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) if the subject matter disclosed and the claimed invention, not later than the effective filing date of the claimed…
Read MoreHow can an applicant establish that the AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) exception applies?
To establish that the AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) exception applies, an applicant can provide a statement. According to MPEP 2154.02(c): “A clear and conspicuous statement by the applicant (or the applicant’s representative of record) that the claimed invention of the application under examination and the subject matter disclosed in the U.S. patent document applied as…
Read MoreHow can common ownership or a Joint Research Agreement help overcome a 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) rejection?
Common ownership or evidence of a Joint Research Agreement can be used to overcome a 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) rejection by establishing entitlement to the 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) exception. This exception removes certain disclosures from being considered prior art. MPEP 2152.06 states: “Establishing common ownership or establishing evidence of a Joint Research Agreement to overcome a…
Read MoreHow does the common ownership exception work under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C)?
The common ownership exception under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) provides a way to overcome certain prior art rejections. According to MPEP 2154.02(c): “AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) provides a third exception to the prior art provisions of AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2). The exception of AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) excepts subject matter disclosed in a U.S. patent,…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) and pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(c)?
While both AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) and pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(c) deal with common ownership, there are significant differences between them. According to MPEP 2154.02(c): “If the provisions of AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) are met, a U.S. patent document that might otherwise qualify as prior art under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) is not available as…
Read MoreWhen does the AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) exception not remove a U.S. patent document as prior art?
The AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) exception does not always remove a U.S. patent document as prior art. According to MPEP 2154.02(c): “The AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) exception does not apply to a disclosure that qualifies as prior art under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) (disclosures made before the effective filing date of the claimed invention). Thus,…
Read MoreHow does common ownership affect prior art rejections?
Common ownership can affect prior art rejections by potentially disqualifying certain references as prior art under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(c). If the subject matter disclosed and the claimed invention were commonly owned at the relevant time, the disclosure may not be used as prior art for certain rejections. The MPEP states:…
Read MoreWhat is common ownership under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C)?
Common ownership under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) means that the subject matter disclosed and the claimed invention were owned by the same person or subject to an obligation of assignment to the same person not later than the effective filing date of the claimed invention. This provision allows certain prior art to be excepted as prior…
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