How is the statutory basis for pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) rejections stated?
The statutory basis for pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) rejections is stated using form paragraph 7.20.fti. This paragraph provides the full text of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as follows: (a) A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the…
Read MoreHow are rejections under both pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 formulated?
In certain situations, an examiner may need to make a rejection under both pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103. Form paragraph 7.27.fti is provided for this purpose: Claim(s) [1] is/are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 ([2]) as anticipated by or, in the alternative, under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as obvious over [3]. However, the…
Read MoreWhat is the test for obviousness under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a)?
The test for obviousness under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) is outlined in form paragraph 7.23.fti. This paragraph summarizes the factual inquiries established by the Supreme Court in Graham v. John Deere Co.: The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) are summarized as follows: Determining the scope and…
Read MoreHow are rejections under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) formulated?
Rejections under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) are formulated using form paragraph 7.21.fti. This paragraph provides the basic structure for stating the rejection: Claim [1] is/are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over [2]. The examiner fills in the claim numbers being rejected in bracket [1] and the prior art reference(s) being relied…
Read MoreHow does the CREATE Act affect provisional rejections under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a)?
The Cooperative Research and Technology Enhancement Act of 2004 (CREATE Act) affects provisional rejections under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) by potentially disqualifying certain prior art references. The MPEP states: For applications filed on or after November 29, 1999 or pending on or after December 10, 2004, a provisional rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) using…
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