What information appears on the front page of a patent issuing from a continued prosecution application (CPA)?

The front page of a patent issuing from a continued prosecution application (CPA) filed under 37 CFR 1.53(d) contains specific information about prior applications.

As stated in the MPEP: The front page of a printed patent issuing on a continued prosecution application (CPA) filed under37 CFR 1.53(d)will identify the application number and filing date of the most recent noncontinued prosecution application (but not the filing date of the CPA) as well as all prior applications from which benefit was claimed in the most recent noncontinued prosecution application. (MPEP 202)

This means that for a CPA:

• The application number and filing date of the most recent non-CPA application are shown
• The CPA’s own filing date is not displayed
• All prior applications claimed as benefit in the most recent non-CPA application are listed

This information helps establish the continuity and priority of the patent application.

For more information on benefit claims, visit: benefit claims.

For more information on continued prosecution application, visit: continued prosecution application.

For more information on CPA, visit: CPA.

For more information on patent front page, visit: patent front page.

For more information on prior applications, visit: prior applications.