What is the difference between a continuation-in-part application and a regular continuation application?
A continuation-in-part (CIP) application differs from a regular continuation application in the following ways:
- A CIP application contains a portion or all of the disclosure of an earlier application and adds matter not disclosed in the earlier application.
- A regular continuation application contains the same disclosure as the earlier application without adding new matter.
As stated in MPEP 201.08: A continuation-in-part is an application filed during the lifetime of an earlier nonprovisional application, repeating some substantial portion or all of the earlier nonprovisional application and adding matter not disclosed in the said earlier nonprovisional application.
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 200 - Types and Status of Application; Benefit and Priority,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure