This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.
Continued Prosecution Applications (CPAs) are specifically for design patent applications. The MPEP ¶ 2.34 refers to CPAs in the context of design applications.
The MPEP ¶ 2.34 states: “In bracket 2, insert either –continuation– or –divisional–.”
This indicates that a CPA can be filed as either a continuation or a divisional of a prior design application. It’s important to note that CPAs are no longer available for utility or plant patent applications.
For more information on continuation application, visit: continuation application.
For more information on design patents, visit: design patents.
For more information on Divisional application, visit: Divisional application.