What types of patent proceedings can the Board assume jurisdiction over?
The Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences (BPAI) has broad authority to assume jurisdiction over various types of patent proceedings. According to MPEP 2312, the Board can take control of: Regular patent applications Reexamination proceedings Reissue applications Issued patents with derivation petitions The MPEP specifically states: “The Board may assume jurisdiction of any application, including…
Read MoreWhat types of submissions are allowed under 37 CFR 1.501(a)?
37 CFR 1.501(a) allows for two types of submissions: Prior art submissions: These include patents and printed publications that the submitter believes are pertinent and applicable to the patent, and may have a bearing on the patentability of any claims. Patent owner statements: These are statements made by the patent owner in federal court proceedings…
Read MoreWhat types of prior art can be used in a reexamination request under 35 U.S.C. 302?
In a reexamination request under 35 U.S.C. 302, the following types of prior art can be used: Patents or printed publications Prior art that was available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention Prior art that raises a substantial new question of patentability As stated in MPEP 2244: “The prior…
Read MoreWhat types of prior art can be submitted in a protest under MPEP 1901.02?
According to MPEP 1901.02, protestors can submit various types of prior art in a protest, including: Patents or publications Information on public use or sale Information on other public knowledge or activities Potential interferences The MPEP states: “The protest may be based on any facts or information of which the protestor has knowledge.” This allows…
Read MoreWhat types of prior art are considered under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1)?
AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) considers the following types of prior art: Prior patenting of the claimed invention Descriptions of the claimed invention in a printed publication Public use of the claimed invention Placing the claimed invention on sale Otherwise making the claimed invention available to the public As stated in the MPEP: “Prior art documents…
Read MoreWhat types of items can be submitted for supplemental examination?
According to MPEP 2809, a wide range of items can be submitted for supplemental examination, including: Patents Published patent applications Non-patent literature Office actions or other documents from a foreign or domestic application Affidavits or declarations Sales receipts Copies of websites Office actions or official documents from the USPTO The MPEP states: “An “item of…
Read MoreWhat are the different types of intervening rights in patent reexamination?
What are the different types of intervening rights in patent reexamination? There are two types of intervening rights in patent reexamination: Absolute intervening rights: These allow continued use or sale of specific products made before the reissue Equitable intervening rights: These may be granted by the court for products made after the reissue As stated…
Read MoreWhat types of information can be included in a patent protest?
A patent protest can include a wide range of information. According to the MPEP, “Submissions under 37 CFR 1.291 are not limited to prior art documents such as patents and publications, but are intended to include any information, which in the protestor’s opinion, would make or have made the grant of the patent improper.” This…
Read MoreWhat types of information can be included in a protest under 37 CFR 1.291?
A protest under 37 CFR 1.291 can include various types of information that may make the grant of a patent improper. The MPEP states: “Any information which, in the protestor’s opinion, would make the grant of a patent improper can be relied on in a protest under 37 CFR 1.291.” While prior art documents like…
Read MoreWhat types of information can be considered in a supplemental examination?
Supplemental examination is not limited to patents and printed publications. The MPEP states: “The information presented in a request for supplemental examination is not limited to patents and printed publications, and may include, for example, issues of patentability under 35 U.S.C. 101 and 112.” This means that patent owners can request consideration of a wide…
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