How does a CPA affect priority claims and terminal disclaimers?
Continued Prosecution Applications (CPAs) automatically carry over certain aspects from the parent application. Specifically:
- Priority claims under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d) made in the parent application automatically carry over to a CPA.
- A terminal disclaimer filed in the parent application carries over to a CPA.
The MPEP explains: Priority claims under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d) made in a parent application will automatically carry over to a CPA. A terminal disclaimer filed in the parent application carries over to a CPA.
This automatic carry-over occurs because the CPA retains the same application number as the parent application.
For more information on patent applications, visit: patent applications.
Topics:
MPEP 200 - Types and Status of Application; Benefit and Priority,
MPEP 201 - Types of Applications,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure