What is the time limit for claiming benefit of a prior-filed application in an international design application?
The time limit for claiming benefit of a prior-filed application in an international design application is specified in MPEP 2920.05(e): “The right of priority may be restored where the international design application is filed after the expiration of the priority period but within a period of two months from the expiration of the priority period.”…
Read MoreHow does a proper priority claim affect the prior art status of international applications?
A proper priority claim can significantly affect the prior art status of international applications. The MPEP 2127 provides guidance on this: “If the international application does not have an earlier effective date under 35 U.S.C. 102(e) based on a proper priority claim to an earlier filed U.S. application, the international application is only effective as…
Read MoreHow can priority claims be used to overcome a pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) rejection?
Priority claims can be an effective way to overcome a pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) rejection. This can be done through either foreign priority claims or domestic benefit claims. For foreign priority claims, the MPEP states: “Submitting a claim to priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a) – (d) within the time period set in 37 CFR 1.55”…
Read MoreWhat are the requirements for a U.S. patent document to claim priority or benefit under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(d)?
For a U.S. patent document to be “entitled to claim” priority or benefit of a prior-filed application under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(d), it must meet three ministerial requirements: Contain a priority or benefit claim to the prior-filed application Be filed within the applicable filing period requirement Have a common inventor or be by the same…
Read MoreHow does priority claim affect the effective filing date in pre-AIA patent applications?
Priority claims can significantly impact the effective filing date of a claimed invention in pre-AIA patent applications. The MPEP 2139.01 states: “If the application properly claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to a provisional application, the effective filing date is the filing date of the provisional application for any claims which are fully supported under…
Read MoreCan applications filed after March 16, 2013 ever be subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102?
Yes, certain applications filed on or after March 16, 2013, can be subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102. The MPEP states: Certain applications filed on or after March 16, 2013 that claim the benefit of a filing date earlier than March 16, 2013 under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, or 365 are also governed by pre-AIA…
Read MoreHow can an applicant overcome a rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e)?
An applicant can overcome a rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) through several methods: Persuasively arguing that the claims are patentably distinguishable from the prior art Amending the claims to patentably distinguish over the prior art Filing an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.132 showing that the reference invention is not by “another” Filing…
Read MoreHow can I overcome a pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) rejection?
There are two main ways to overcome a pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) rejection: Antedating the filing date of the reference: This can be done by submitting an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.131. As stated in the MPEP, “An affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.131(a) can overcome a prior art rejection under pre‑AIA…
Read MoreWhat are the main ways to overcome a 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) or 102(a)(2) rejection?
There are several ways to overcome a 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) or 102(a)(2) rejection, as outlined in MPEP 2152.06: Submitting a benefit claim under 35 U.S.C. 120 or 119(e) Submitting a claim to priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d) Filing an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.130 Establishing common ownership or evidence of a Joint Research…
Read MoreDoes AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(d) require evaluation of actual entitlement to priority or benefit?
No, AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(d) does not require evaluation of actual entitlement to priority or benefit when determining the effective filing date for prior art purposes. The MPEP clearly states: “As a result of this distinction, the question of whether a patent or published application is actually entitled to priority or benefit with respect to…
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