How does the USPTO handle a maintenance fee payment with only a patent number?
When a maintenance fee payment is submitted with only a patent number and no application number, the USPTO has two options. According to MPEP 2530, If a maintenance fee payment identifies only the patent number (i.e., does not identify the application number for the patent on which the maintenance fee is being paid), the Office…
Read MoreWhat happens if the patent number and application number in a maintenance fee payment don’t match?
When a maintenance fee payment includes both a patent number and an application number that do not correspond to the same patent, the USPTO has a specific procedure. According to MPEP 2530, When a patent number and an application number are both supplied, but they do not correspond to the same patent, the Office will…
Read MoreHow does the USPTO handle a maintenance fee payment with only an application number?
When a maintenance fee payment is submitted with only an application number and no patent number, the USPTO has specific procedures in place. According to MPEP 2530, If a maintenance fee is due on the patent identified by the application number and the payment submitted is sufficient, the Office may apply the payment to the…
Read MoreWhat information do I need to check a patent’s maintenance fee status online?
To check a patent’s maintenance fee status online, you need two pieces of information: The patent number The corresponding application number The MPEP states: “Maintenance fee status information for a patent of interest can be obtained over the internet by entering the patent number and the corresponding application number in the appropriate spaces on the…
Read MoreWhat are the requirements for a cover letter in a patent protest?
What are the requirements for a cover letter in a patent protest? A cover letter for a patent protest must include specific information to be properly processed. According to MPEP 1901.03: “The cover letter must identify the application or patent number to which the protest is directed. It is important that the cover letter be…
Read MoreHow should unpublished U.S. patent applications be cited in an Information Disclosure Statement?
When citing unpublished U.S. patent applications in an Information Disclosure Statement (IDS), you must include: The U.S. patent application publication number The applicant The filing date If available, the U.S. patent application publication date The patent application number The MPEP 609.04(a) states: Each U.S. application listed in an information disclosure statement must be identified by…
Read MoreWhat happens to the prior application when a CPA is filed?
What happens to the prior application when a CPA is filed? When a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) is filed, the prior application is automatically abandoned. According to MPEP 201.06(d): The filing of a CPA is not a filing of a new application. Rather, a CPA is a continuation of the prior application and maintains the…
Read MoreWhat should I do if I don’t have the application number when executing an assignment?
If you don’t have the application number when executing an assignment, you can use specific language to allow for its later insertion. MPEP 302.03 suggests the following approach: “It is suggested, however, that an assignment be written to allow entry of the identifying number after the execution of the assignment. An example of acceptable wording…
Read MoreWhat is a confirmation number and why is it important?
A confirmation number is a four-digit number assigned by the USPTO to each newly filed patent application. According to MPEP 503, the confirmation number serves several important purposes: It is used in combination with the application number to verify the accuracy of the application number on correspondence filed with the Office. It helps avoid misidentification…
Read MoreWhat is a filing receipt and what information does it contain?
A filing receipt is an official document issued by the USPTO that contains important information about a patent application. According to MPEP 503, the filing receipt includes: Application number Filing date Confirmation number Suggested U.S. Patent Classification class Art unit where the application is likely to be examined Continuing data (if applicable) National stage data…
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