How does a continuation-in-part (CIP) application differ from a regular continuation?

A continuation-in-part (CIP) application is a type of continuing application that differs from a regular continuation in its content and priority claims. According to MPEP 201.08: ‘A continuation-in-part is an application filed during the lifetime of an earlier nonprovisional application, repeating some substantial portion or all of the earlier nonprovisional application and adding matter not…

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How does a CPA (Continued Prosecution Application) differ from other continuing applications?

A Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) is a unique type of continuing application that has specific limitations. According to MPEP 201.02: A ‘continued prosecution application’ (CPA) is a continuation or divisional application for an invention disclosed in a prior nonprovisional application filed under 37 CFR 1.53(b) or (d). A CPA can only be filed in a…

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How does inventorship in a continuing application work?

Inventorship in a continuing application depends on the type of continuing application and when it was filed. Key points: For applications filed on or after September 16, 2012, the inventorship is initially the inventor(s) named in the application data sheet For earlier applications, the inventorship carries over from the parent application In a continuation or…

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How does a CPA differ from other types of continuing applications?

A Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) differs from other types of continuing applications in several ways: CPAs are only available for design applications, not utility applications. Filing a CPA automatically establishes the necessary reference to the prior application under 35 U.S.C. 120, without needing to amend the specification. CPAs are processed differently from other continuing applications,…

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What are the different types of patent applications?

According to MPEP 201.02, there are several types of patent applications: National applications Provisional applications Nonprovisional applications International applications International design applications The definitions for these terms can be found in 37 CFR 1.9. Additionally, applications can be classified as ‘original’ or ‘continuing’ applications. An original application may be a first filing or a continuing…

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What is the significance of filing dates in patent applications?

Filing dates are crucial in patent law as they establish priority and can affect the patentability of an invention. The MPEP 201.02 discusses various application types and their relationship to filing dates: Original applications (including first filings and continuing applications) generally retain their filing date for priority purposes. Continuing applications (continuations, divisionals, and continuations-in-part) can…

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When is a newly executed inventor’s oath or declaration required in a continuing application?

For continuing applications (continuation, divisional, continuation-in-part) filed on or after September 16, 2012 under 37 CFR 1.53(b), a newly executed inventor’s oath or declaration is generally not required if: An oath or declaration complying with 35 U.S.C. 115 and 37 CFR 1.63 (or substitute statement under 37 CFR 1.64) was filed in the earlier-filed application…

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How is ownership established in continuing patent applications filed before September 16, 2012?

For continuing applications (continuation or divisional) filed under 37 CFR 1.53(b) before September 16, 2012, ownership can be established in one of two ways: The application papers can contain a copy of a statement filed under pre-AIA 37 CFR 3.73(b) in the parent application. A newly executed statement under pre-AIA 37 CFR 3.73(b) can be…

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