How is patent term extension information displayed on the patent?
According to MPEP 2720, patent term extension information is displayed on the face of the patent. The MPEP states: “Any patent term extension granted as a result of administrative delay pursuant to 37 CFR 1.701 will be printed on the face of the patent in generally the same location as the terminal disclaimer information. The…
Read MoreWhat is the significance of the publication date for a U.S. patent document in prior art rejections?
The publication date of a U.S. patent document is crucial for determining its eligibility as prior art in patent rejections. According to MPEP 2126: “The date that the patent is made available to the public is the date it is available as a 35 U.S.C. 102(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a) and (b) reference.” This…
Read MoreWhose names appear on the printed patent?
The MPEP 1302.13 provides clear guidance on whose names are included in the printed patent: “Only the names of the primary examiner and the assistant examiner appearing on the Issue Classification Sheet will be listed in the printed patent.” This means that while other USPTO personnel may be involved in the patent examination process, only…
Read MoreHow are examiner-cited references indicated in a patent document?
Examiner-cited references are indicated with an asterisk (*) in the “References Cited” section on the front page of a patent document. According to MPEP 1302.12: References listed by a patent examiner on a “Notice of References Cited,” form PTO-892, will be indicated with an asterisk in the “References Cited” section of the front page of…
Read MoreHow does the CPC system handle multiple inventive entities within a single patent document?
The CPC system recognizes that a single patent document may contain multiple inventive entities, and it requires separate classification for each. According to MPEP 905.03(a): “Patent documents should not be classified as a single entity. Rather, all different inventive entities, claimed or disclosed within the patent document, should be identified and separately classified.” The MPEP…
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