How does the USPTO handle a maintenance fee payment with only a patent number?
When a maintenance fee payment is submitted with only a patent number and no application number, the USPTO has two options. According to MPEP 2530, If a maintenance fee payment identifies only the patent number (i.e., does not identify the application number for the patent on which the maintenance fee is being paid), the Office…
Read MoreWhat happens if the patent number and application number in a maintenance fee payment don’t match?
When a maintenance fee payment includes both a patent number and an application number that do not correspond to the same patent, the USPTO has a specific procedure. According to MPEP 2530, When a patent number and an application number are both supplied, but they do not correspond to the same patent, the Office will…
Read MoreWhat information do I need to check a patent’s maintenance fee status online?
To check a patent’s maintenance fee status online, you need two pieces of information: The patent number The corresponding application number The MPEP states: “Maintenance fee status information for a patent of interest can be obtained over the internet by entering the patent number and the corresponding application number in the appropriate spaces on the…
Read MoreWhat information should be included in correspondence after filing an inter partes reexamination request?
After filing a request for inter partes reexamination, subsequent correspondence should include specific identifying information. The MPEP states: “After the filing of the request for inter partes reexamination, any letters sent to the Office relating to the reexamination proceeding should identify the proceeding by the number of the patent undergoing reexamination, the reexamination request control…
Read MoreWhat information is required to identify another application or patent for interference?
To identify another application or patent for interference, the following information is typically required: Application serial number (for applications) Patent number (for patents) The MPEP 2304.02(a) states: “Usually an applicant seeking an interference will know the application serial number or the patent number of the application or patent, respectively, with which it seeks an interference.…
Read MoreHow should USPTO documents be identified according to MPEP 901.04(a)?
According to MPEP 901.04(a), USPTO documents should be identified using three key elements: It is recommended that USPTO documents be identified by the following three elements: (A) the two-character country code (US for United States of America); (B) the patent or publication number; and (C) the WIPO ST.16 kind code. For example: “US 7,654,321 B1”…
Read MoreWhat information should be included when filing papers after receiving an Issue Notification?
When filing papers after receiving an Issue Notification for a patent application, it’s crucial to include specific information to ensure proper processing. According to MPEP 1303.01: “Any paper filed after receiving the Issue Notification should include the indicated patent number, unless the application has been withdrawn from issue.” This means that when submitting any documents…
Read MoreHow should foreign patents be cited in an Information Disclosure Statement?
When citing foreign patents in an Information Disclosure Statement (IDS), you must include: The country or patent office that issued the patent The patent number The name of the patentee The date of issuance The pages, columns, lines, or paragraph numbers where relevant passages or figures appear The MPEP 609.04(a) states: Each foreign patent or…
Read MoreHow do I properly identify a patent in an assignment?
To properly identify a patent in an assignment, you must use the patent number. According to 37 CFR 3.21, “An assignment relating to a patent must identify the patent by the patent number.” This ensures that there is no ambiguity about which patent is being assigned. To learn more: patent assignment patent identification patent number
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