What are the signature requirements for a CPA request?
The signature requirements for a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) request are specific and important to ensure proper filing. According to MPEP 201.06(d): The request for a CPA must be signed by a person authorized to prosecute the prior application. This includes: A registered patent practitioner The applicant (inventor or assignee of the entire interest) The…
Read MoreHow does a CPA affect the prior application’s status?
Filing a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) has specific effects on the status of the prior application: The prior application is abandoned by operation of law upon filing of the CPA. Any appeal in the prior application is dismissed automatically. Any amendment filed with the CPA request is not entered unless it is specifically requested by…
Read MoreHow does the USPTO treat a ‘conditional’ request for a CPA?
The USPTO treats all ‘conditional’ requests for Continued Prosecution Applications (CPAs) as unconditional requests. According to 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 conditional CPA request is submitted, it will be processed as a…
Read MoreWhat is a Conditional Request for a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA)?
A Conditional Request for a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) is a filing made under 37 CFR 1.53(d) for design applications. However, it’s important to note that any “conditional” request for a CPA submitted as a separate paper is treated as an unconditional request for a CPA. This means that even if an applicant intends the…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between a CPA for design applications and utility applications?
Continued Prosecution Applications (CPAs) are primarily used for design patent applications. For utility or plant applications, improper CPA requests are typically treated as Requests for Continued Examination (RCE). The MPEP ¶ 2.35 notes: If the request for a CPA in a utility or plant application is improper and the CPA has been treated as an…
Read MoreWhat information is included in the first Office action of a CPA?
The first Office action of a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) includes important information for the applicant. According to MPEP ¶ 2.35, the examiner should: Advise the applicant that a ‘conditional’ request for a CPA is treated as an unconditional request Confirm that the CPA is acceptable and has been established Provide notice that an action…
Read MoreWhat is a Request to Delete a Named Inventor in a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) for Design Applications?
A Request to Delete a Named Inventor in a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) for Design Applications is a procedure that allows for the correction of inventorship when filing a CPA. This request is specifically used to remove the name(s) of person(s) who are not inventors of the invention being claimed in the new application. According…
Read MoreHow does the USPTO acknowledge a Request to Delete a Named Inventor in a CPA?
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) formally acknowledges a Request to Delete a Named Inventor in a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) through an official response. This acknowledgment serves as confirmation that the request has been received and processed. The MPEP ¶ 2.32 provides the standard language used by examiners to acknowledge such requests:…
Read MoreWhat is a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) in the context of design applications?
A Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) is a type of patent application that allows applicants to continue prosecution of a prior design application. It’s important to note that CPAs are now only available for design applications, not utility applications. While the MPEP ¶ 2.32 doesn’t provide a direct definition of a CPA, it implies its use…
Read MoreWhat are the methods for requesting inventor deletion in a design CPA?
There are two primary methods for requesting the deletion of a named inventor in a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) for design applications: Letter to the examiner: You can submit a letter directly to the patent examiner handling your application. Request for corrected filing receipt: You can file a formal request for a corrected filing receipt…
Read More