How does the USPTO handle petitions to make special for applicants over 65 years old?
How does the USPTO handle petitions to make special for applicants over 65 years old? The USPTO provides a special provision for applicants over 65 years old to expedite their patent applications. According to MPEP 708.02(III): ‘A petition to make special under this category must state that the applicant is 65 years of age, or…
Read MoreHow does the USPTO handle petitions in applications abandoned for failure to timely reply?
How does the USPTO handle petitions in applications abandoned for failure to timely reply? The USPTO has specific procedures for handling petitions in applications abandoned for failure to timely reply. These procedures depend on whether the applicant received the Office action or notice requiring a reply. According to MPEP 711.03(c): ‘If an applicant receives an…
Read MoreWhat happens to papers received by the USPTO after an application is abandoned?
What happens to papers received by the USPTO after an application is abandoned? When papers are received by the USPTO after an application has been abandoned, the following process occurs: The papers are entered into the Image File Wrapper. They are given a Document Code and receipt date. The papers are placed in the file…
Read MoreHow does the USPTO view opinion testimony in patent interference cases?
The USPTO’s view on opinion testimony in patent interference cases has evolved over time. The MPEP 716.09 references a significant case that reexamined this issue: Glaser v. Strickland, 220 USPQ 446 (Bd. Pat. Int. 1983) which reexamines the rationale on which In re Oppenauer was based in light of the Federal Rules of Evidence. The…
Read MoreHow does the USPTO handle additional information submitted by applicants in response to examiner requests?
The USPTO has specific procedures for handling additional information submitted by applicants in response to examiner requests. According to MPEP 707.05(b), “Information submitted by applicant in the manner provided in MPEP § 704.10 et seq. will not be supplied with an Office action.” This means that while the examiner will consider the submitted information during…
Read MoreHow does the USPTO handle prior art submitted by applicants?
The USPTO has specific procedures for handling prior art submitted by applicants. According to MPEP 707.05(b), “Prior art submitted by applicant in the manner provided in MPEP § 609 will not be supplied with an Office action.” This means that while the examiner will consider the submitted prior art during the examination process, they will…
Read MoreHow does the USPTO handle situations where an Office communication was lost or not received?
The USPTO has specific procedures for handling situations where an applicant claims that an Office communication was lost or not received. According to MPEP 711.03(c): When the petitioner is a pro se applicant, the Office understands the petitioner may not have developed a formal docket record system for tracking correspondence. However, petitioner must provide some…
Read MoreHow does the USPTO handle confidential information in patent applications?
How does the USPTO handle confidential information in patent applications? The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has specific procedures for handling confidential information in patent applications. According to MPEP 724.01, the USPTO recognizes the need to protect certain types of sensitive information while maintaining the completeness of the patent file wrapper. Here’s how…
Read MoreHow does the USPTO handle confidential information in patent applications?
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has strict rules for handling confidential information in patent applications, especially for those filed before June 8, 1995. According to MPEP 704.11(a): “Regarding the identification of applications filed before June 8, 1995, 35 U.S.C. 122(a) requires the identified applications to be kept in confidence by the Office…
Read MoreAre extensions of time available for responding to USPTO Office actions?
Yes, extensions of time are generally available for responding to USPTO Office actions. The MPEP refers to 37 CFR 1.136(a), which provides for extensions of time: “Since extensions of time are available pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a), it is incumbent upon applicants to recognize the date for reply so that the proper fee for any…
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