When do intervening rights apply to reinstated patents?

Intervening rights apply to reinstated patents during a specific time frame. According to MPEP § 2591, these rights are applicable to actions taken: After the 6-month grace period for paying the maintenance fee But prior to the acceptance of the late maintenance fee The MPEP states: “A court before which such matter is in question…

Read More

What are the different types of intervening rights in patent reexamination?

What are the different types of intervening rights in patent reexamination? There are two types of intervening rights in patent reexamination: Absolute intervening rights: These allow continued use or sale of specific products made before the reissue Equitable intervening rights: These may be granted by the court for products made after the reissue As stated…

Read More

What are the types of intervening rights for reinstated patents?

There are two types of intervening rights for reinstated patents: Absolute intervening rights: These allow continued use of specific things made, purchased, or used before the reinstatement. Equitable intervening rights: These may be granted by the court to allow continued manufacture, use, or sale of additional products. As stated in MPEP 2591: “The court must…

Read More

What triggers intervening rights in inter partes reexamination?

Intervening rights in inter partes reexamination are triggered when a patent’s claims are amended or new claims are added during the reexamination process. The MPEP 2693 states: “Any proposed amended or new claim determined to be patentable and incorporated into a patent following an inter partes reexamination proceeding shall have the same effect as that…

Read More

What is the significance of “substantially identical” claims in intervening rights?

The concept of “substantially identical” claims is crucial in determining whether intervening rights apply in patent reexamination or reissue cases: Intervening rights only apply to claims that are not substantially identical to the original claims. If a claim is substantially identical to the original, it is treated as if it was in the original patent,…

Read More

What is the significance of “identical” claims in patent reexamination and intervening rights?

What is the significance of “identical” claims in patent reexamination and intervening rights? The concept of “identical” claims is crucial in determining whether intervening rights apply in patent reexamination. According to MPEP 2293: “A claim of the patent which is substantially identical to a claim of the original patent (for example, amended to improve clarity)…

Read More

What are intervening rights in reinstated patents?

Intervening rights in reinstated patents are legal protections provided by 35 U.S.C. 41(c)(2) for individuals or businesses who used or made substantial preparations to use a patented invention during the period when the patent had lapsed due to non-payment of maintenance fees, but before it was reinstated. According to MPEP § 2591: “No patent, the…

Read More

How do intervening rights in inter partes reexamination compare to those in reissue patents?

Intervening rights in inter partes reexamination are essentially the same as those for reissue patents. The MPEP 2693 clearly states: “The situation of intervening rights resulting from inter partes reexamination proceedings parallels the intervening rights situation resulting from reissue patents or from ex parte reexamination proceedings. The rights detailed in 35 U.S.C. 252 for reissue…

Read More

What is the relationship between intervening rights and the effective date of the reexamination certificate?

What is the relationship between intervening rights and the effective date of the reexamination certificate? The effective date of the reexamination certificate is crucial in determining the application of intervening rights. According to MPEP 2293: “The date of the reexamination certificate is the date of issue from which the patent claims as stated in the…

Read More