What types of patent applications can use a CPA?
Continued Prosecution Applications (CPAs) are limited to specific types of patent applications: Design Applications: CPAs are available for design applications filed before May 29, 2000. Plant Applications: CPAs can be used for plant patent applications. It’s important to note that CPAs are not available for utility patent applications filed on or after May 29, 2000.…
Read MoreWhat is a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) and when can it be filed?
A Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) is a type of continuation or divisional application that can be filed for design patent applications under 37 CFR 1.53(d). It allows an applicant to continue prosecution of a prior design application. As stated in the MPEP: A continuation or divisional application (but not a continuation-in-part) of a prior nonprovisional…
Read MoreWhat are the filing requirements for a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) under 37 CFR 1.53(d)?
The filing requirements for a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) under 37 CFR 1.53(d) are as follows: The CPA must be filed before the earliest of: Payment of the issue fee on the prior application, unless a petition under 37 CFR 1.313(c) is granted; Abandonment of the prior application; or Termination of proceedings on the prior…
Read MoreWhen is a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) acceptable?
A Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) is acceptable when it meets the requirements set forth in 37 CFR 1.53(d). According to MPEP § 201, the examiner will use specific language to indicate acceptance: The request filed on [date] for a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) under 37 CFR 1.53(d) based on parent Application No. [number] is acceptable…
Read MoreHow does an examiner notify an applicant about a CPA’s acceptance?
According to MPEP § 201, specifically paragraph 2.30, an examiner notifies an applicant about a Continued Prosecution Application’s (CPA) acceptance in the first Office action of the CPA. The MPEP states: Use this form paragraph in the first Office action of a CPA to advise the applicant that a request for a CPA is acceptable…
Read MoreHow does the USPTO handle ‘conditional’ requests for CPAs?
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) treats all ‘conditional’ requests for Continued Prosecution Applications (CPAs) as unconditional requests. This is clearly stated in MPEP ¶ 2.35: “Any ‘conditional’ request for a CPA submitted as a separate paper is treated as an unconditional request for a CPA.” This means that once a CPA request…
Read MoreWhen should I file a 37 CFR 1.48 request for a CPA?
You should file a 37 CFR 1.48 request for a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) whenever you need to add, remove, or change the order of inventors from the original application. The MPEP ¶ 2.33 indicates: Any request to add an inventor must be in the form of a request under 37 CFR 1.48. This applies…
Read MoreCan the inventorship in a CPA differ from the original application?
Yes, the inventorship in a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) can differ from the original application, but only if a proper request is filed and approved. According to MPEP ¶ 2.33: Otherwise, the inventorship in the CPA shall be the same as in the prior application. This implies that changes to inventorship are possible, but they…
Read MoreCan I amend the specification of a CPA to refer to it as a continuation or divisional application?
No, you cannot amend the specification of a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) to refer to it as a continuation or divisional application. According to MPEP § 201.06(d): “The amendment filed [date] requesting that the specification be amended to refer to the present Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) as a [continuation/divisional] application of Application No. [X] has…
Read MoreWhat is the specific reference requirement for a CPA under 35 U.S.C. 120?
For a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA), the specific reference requirement under 35 U.S.C. 120 is satisfied by the CPA request itself. According to MPEP § 201.06(d): “As set forth in 37 CFR 1.53(d)(7), a request for a CPA is the specific reference required by 35 U.S.C. 120 to every application assigned the application number identified…
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