How can the public access information about published patent applications?
Once a patent application is published, its contents become accessible to the public. The MPEP 1901.05 provides information on how to access these files: “After an application is published pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 122(b), the application file contents become available to the public through the Office’s public application image file wrapper via the Office’s website.”…
Read MoreWhat resources are available on the USPTO website?
The USPTO website (www.uspto.gov) offers a wide range of resources and information for users. These include: News and notices (announcements, press releases, Official Gazette Notices, Federal Register Notices) USPTO contacts and addresses Educational resources (PTDL program, Kids Pages) Patent-specific information (issued patents, published applications, filing guidelines) Trademark-specific information (Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure, U.S. Trademark…
Read MoreWhere can I obtain the PCT international application transmittal letter form?
The PCT international application transmittal letter form (Form PTO-1382) can be obtained online from the USPTO website. According to MPEP 1830: “The form, which is intended to simplify the filing of PCT international applications and related documents with the United States Receiving Office, may be obtained online at www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/international-protection/patent-cooperation-treaty/pct-chapter-i-forms.” You can access and download the…
Read MoreHow are lengthy tables treated in patent documents and patent application publications?
Lengthy tables in patent documents and patent application publications are treated as follows: Tables on more than 200 consecutive pages or large numbers of tables submitted on read-only optical discs or as text files will not be published as part of the patent document. These lengthy tables will be published separately on the sequence homepage…
Read MoreHow are lengthy tables treated in patent documents and publications?
Lengthy tables (more than 200 consecutive pages or large numbers of tables) submitted as ASCII text files or in certain electronic formats may not be printed in full in patent documents. Instead: They will be published separately on the USPTO website A standardized statement will be inserted in the patent document For patent application publications,…
Read MoreHow can I access the Electronic Official Gazette for Patents (eOG:P)?
The Electronic Official Gazette for Patents (eOG:P) is accessible through the USPTO website. According to MPEP 1703, you can find it at: www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/official-gazette/official-gazette-patents The eOG:P offers several browsing options: Browse by CPC or USPC classification Access patents by class/subclass or patentee name View patents by type (utility, design, plant) Access specific patents using various indexing…
Read MoreHow are lengthy tables treated in patent documents?
Lengthy tables, which are tables on more than 200 consecutive pages or large numbers of tables, are treated differently in patent documents: They are not published as part of the patent document (e.g., patent or patent application publication) Instead, they are published separately on the sequence homepage of the USPTO website A standardized statement is…
Read MoreHow are assignment records made accessible to the public?
The USPTO makes assignment records accessible to the public in several ways, as described in 37 CFR 1.12: Separate assignment records for patents and trademarks are maintained and are open to public inspection. Assignment records, digests, and indexes for patents are available on the USPTO website. Images of assignment documents recorded from June 1998 onwards…
Read MoreWhere can I find more information about the PDX program?
The USPTO provides additional information about the Priority Document Exchange (PDX) program on its official website. According to the MPEP: The Office website provides additional information concerning the priority document exchange program (www.uspto.gov/patents/basics/international-protection/electronic-priority-document-exchange-pdx). This website includes important details such as: A list of intellectual property offices participating in the PDX program Information necessary for each…
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