What happens to pending patent applications when a patent practitioner dies?
When a patent practitioner dies, the MPEP 406 outlines the following procedure: The Office will notify the applicant of the death of the practitioner. The applicant must appoint a new registered patent practitioner or file a change of correspondence address. This must be done within the time period set in the notice, which is usually…
Read MoreHow long do applicants have to respond after being notified of a patent practitioner’s death?
According to MPEP 406, when the USPTO notifies an applicant of their patent practitioner’s death, the applicant is given a specific timeframe to respond. The MPEP states: “The period for reply to such a notice is normally set at 3 months.” During this 3-month period, the applicant must take one of the following actions: Appoint…
Read MoreHow does the USPTO notify applicants of their practitioner’s suspension or exclusion?
How does the USPTO notify applicants of their practitioner’s suspension or exclusion? The USPTO has a specific process for notifying applicants when their patent practitioner has been suspended or excluded. The MPEP 407 outlines this process: “The OED Director will… notify the applicant of the suspension or exclusion and of the limited recognition of the…
Read MoreHow does the USPTO notify applicants about an unacceptable CPA request?
When the USPTO receives an unacceptable Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) request for a design patent application, they notify the applicant using a standardized form paragraph. According to MPEP ¶ 2.31, the examiner will use the following language: Receipt is acknowledged of the request for a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) filed on [1] under 37 CFR…
Read MoreWhat happens if a patent application is filed without all the pages of the specification?
If a patent application is filed without all the pages of the specification, the USPTO will notify the applicant of the missing parts. The MPEP refers to this situation: See MPEP § 601.01(d)-(g) where the application is filed without all the pages of the specification, without at least one claim (nonprovisional design application), without drawings,…
Read MoreWhat happens to nonsigning inventors in a pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.47 application?
In a pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.47 application, nonsigning inventors are notified of the application filing. The MPEP states: The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will notify the nonsigning inventor(s) or, if the inventor is deceased, the legal representative(s), of the filing of an application under pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.47 by sending a letter to the…
Read MoreWhat happens if a provisional application is missing required elements?
What happens if a provisional application is missing required elements? If a provisional application is missing required elements, the USPTO will notify the applicant of the deficiencies. According to MPEP 601.01(b): ‘If the provisional application does not include a cover sheet indicating that it is a provisional application, the application will be treated as a…
Read MoreWhen does a revocation of power of attorney become effective?
A revocation of power of attorney becomes effective on the date it is received by the USPTO, not on the date it is accepted. As stated in MPEP 402.05: Revocation of a power of attorney becomes effective on the date that the revocation is RECEIVED in the Office (not on the date of ACCEPTANCE). The…
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