When is a new oath or declaration required in a patent application?
A new oath or declaration is required in a patent application under the following circumstances: When filing a continuation or divisional application When filing a continuation-in-part application To correct inventorship in an application When the original oath or declaration was defective According to MPEP 602.02: ‘A new oath or declaration is required in a continuation…
Read MoreCan a continuation-in-part (CIP) application claim benefit to a provisional application?
Can a continuation-in-part (CIP) application claim benefit to a provisional application? Yes, a continuation-in-part (CIP) application can claim benefit to a provisional application, but there are important considerations regarding the disclosure and priority dates. The MPEP provides guidance on this: “An applicant may claim the benefit of the filing date of a provisional application in…
Read MoreWhat happens if a continuation-in-part application includes new matter not disclosed in the parent application?
When a continuation-in-part (CIP) application includes new matter not disclosed in the parent application, the following consequences apply: Claims solely directed to subject matter adequately disclosed in the parent application are entitled to the parent application’s filing date. Claims that include new matter introduced in the CIP are only entitled to the filing date of…
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 a continuation-in-part application?
A divisional application discloses and claims only subject matter disclosed in the parent application, while a continuation-in-part (CIP) application may include new matter. The MPEP states: A continuation-in-part application should not be designated as a divisional application. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has concluded that the protection of the third sentence of…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between a continuation application and a continuation-in-part (CIP) application?
A continuation application and a continuation-in-part (CIP) application are both types of patent applications that claim priority to an earlier filed application, but they differ in their content: Continuation application: Contains the same disclosure as the prior application without adding any new matter. As stated in MPEP 201.07: “A continuation application is an application for…
Read MoreHow does the presence of new matter affect the filing date of a continuation or divisional application?
The presence of new matter in a continuation or divisional application can significantly affect its filing date. If new matter is found, the application may lose the benefit of the earlier filing date for the new subject matter. According to MPEP ¶ 2.10.01: “Applicant is required to delete the benefit claim or change the relationship…
Read MoreWhat are the assignment rules for substitute and continuation-in-part applications?
The assignment rules for substitute and continuation-in-part applications differ from those for division and continuation applications. As per the MPEP, a prior assignment of the original application is not applied (effective) to the substitute or continuation-in-part application because the assignment recorded against the original application gives the assignee rights to only the subject matter common…
Read MoreHow does new matter affect continuing applications?
The treatment of new matter varies depending on the type of continuing application: Continuation and Divisional Applications: Must not contain any new matter. The disclosure must be the same as the prior application. Continuation-in-Part (CIP) Applications: Can include new matter not disclosed in the parent application. Continued Prosecution Applications (CPAs): Cannot contain new matter. For…
Read MoreHow are continuation-in-part (CIP) applications handled after the deletion of 37 CFR 1.62?
The treatment of continuation-in-part (CIP) applications changed significantly after the deletion of 37 CFR 1.62. According to the MPEP: “A request filed on or after December 1, 1997, under former 37 CFR 1.62 for a continuation-in-part (CIP) application, or for a continuation or divisional of an application having a filing date before June 8, 1995,…
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