MPEP 100 and MPEP 200- 3rd Binder Flashcards
When are applications maintained IN CONFIDENCE
Unpublished pending applications
Abandoned applications
(access and copies only for a few exceptions)
Which patent files are available for viewing and copying?
Issued Patent Files
Published Application Files
Reissue Files
Reexamination Files
Interference File for Patent, Reissue or Published application
Interference File of UNPUBLISHED application that hasn’t issued IF pitted against issued patent and interference is TERMINATED/DECIDED (old 35 USC 102(g)
NOTE; Written request needed for access to the FILE, but not for the published application
Which application types do not publish?
- Provisionals
- Design applications
- Abandoned applications
Note: Can request Express Abandonment to avoid publication (under 37 CFR 1.138). Need 4 weeks remaining before publication to success
Fee required to access and/or copy an accessible patent file?
No, except the cost of using the copy machines in the PO or printing at their desk from the PTO website
What information regarding STATUS will the PTO provide for any application for which access can be obtained?
Pending, Abandoned, Published, Issued
What is required to obtain access to a patent application’s STATUS?
NOTE: Available through Public PAIR (Patent Application Information Retrieval)
WRITTEN REQUEST (but no fee)…
- Where access can be obtained
- App identified by SERIAL NUMBER and FILING DATE in PUBLISHED patent doc (foreign or US) or US application open to PUBLIC INSPECTION
-App in the NATIONAL PHASE of a PCT app in which US is identified as a receiving state
(- Any parent if the continuation, CIP or divisional qualifies to have status disclosed)
Who can NORMALLY Access a PENDING or ABANDONED FILE?
MPEP 104
- INVENTORS (unless assignee asked PTO in writing to bar)
- INVENTOR named in an application filed without that inventor’s signature (Rule 1.45 or 1.46)
- ASSIGNEE of the ENTIRE INTEREST or the assignee of PARTIAL INTEREST or an EXCLUSIVE LICENSEE (but not non-exclusive licensee)
- ATTORNEY/AGENT of RECORD and any person given WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION from anyone with access
NOTE: this refers to NORMAL access, not access requested of the PO)
Difference in access between
ACCESS for POWER TO INSPECT
vs
A granted PETITION FOR ACCESS
POWER TO INSPECT- Continues indefinitely UNLESS limited in time
Granted PETITION FOR ACCESS- (Granted by PTO)- limited to the time granted
What are the EXCEPTIONS for accessing an UNPUBLISHED, ABANDONED APPLICATION (not the file)?
MPEP 104
- Referred to in a US patent or published application
- Referred to in a US application open to public inspection
- Referred to in a PCT published application which designated the US
NOTE: WRITTEN REQUEST needed (petition or service not required)
Aside from NORMAL access to an UNPUBLISHED, PENDING application FILE, how could one obtain access? MPEP 103
Note: Normal access includes inventors (unless barred by assignee), inventor named in app without inventor’s signature (Rule 1.45 or 1.46), assignee, exclusive licensee, attorney/agent of record, and anyone with written authorization from above MPEP 104
- PETITION or REQUEST for access MUST be filed
- Fee paid
When petition or request is used:
-PETITION SHOWING SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES- when owner is using app to interfere w/ competitor’s business.
- Petition must be served on applicant/owner or an extra copy given to PTO to serve
- REQUEST FOR ACCESS ONLY (Service or Petition not required)
- When patent relies upon application for priority
- When application is incorporated in its entirety by reference into patent or published app - WITH NOTICE OR SERVICE
- When a pending application is incorporated ONLY IN PART into an issued US patent or published application
- ONLY the specific incorporated part is obtained
Ways to acquire a Foreign Filing License?
MPEP 140
- Passage of 6 MONTHS from filing US app (including provisional)
- Being granted specifically on the FILING RECEIPT
- By GRANTING OF A PETITION asking for one
When is a Foreign Filing License Required?
- Invention is made in the US
How do you obtain a Foreign Filing License RETROACTIVELY?
35 USC § 184, 1st paragraph
- By a PETITION, including factual circumstances of error- in detail
- Hefty FEE
NOTE: Illegal Foreign Filing MUST have occurred by error. If FFL not obtained, patent is INVALID unless a license is granted retroactively
DOE Statement- Process?
42 USC 2182
(Rarely tested)
- Invention related to atomic energy
- Mandates statement about making of invention- Government contract?
- Non-extendable 30 days Formal Request if non-formal (45-day) request wasn’t submitted
NASA Statement- Process?
42 USC 2457
(Rarely tested)
- Invention related to space inventions
- Mandates statement about making of invention- Government contract?
- Non-extendable 30 days Formal Request if non-formal (45-day) request wasn’t submitted
When are plant applications open to the public?
Once they issue
When are design applications open to the public?
Once they issue
Note: They do not publish- only issue)
Files which are always available are…
a. Issued patent or published applications
b. Reissue applications
c. Reexamination
d. Interference file after award of priority, or interference has been terminated, and there is an issued patent involved in the interference
The fee for obtaining status is…
None. It is free
An unpublished, abandoned application can be accessed if it is ….in an issued US patent
…referred to (incorporated by reference or used to establish priority…
An “AS FILED” copy of a PENDING UNPULBISHED application can be obtained WITHOUT SERVICE if it is in whole…….an issued patent
…incorporated by reference into…
Two ways to file a US patent application are
- NATIONAL application- Filed directly in the US
- Applicaiton that has entered the NATIONAL PHASE from an international (PCT) application previously filed in the US or elsewhere
Two notable differences between NATIONAL and PCT-derived NATIONAL STAGE applications
- For RESTRICTIONS…
- UNITY OF INVENTION applies to NATIONAL STAGE inventions (all claims generally relate to the same inventive step)
- EXAMINER DESCRETION applies to separate out inventions in NATIONAL applications
- FILING DATE- if missing Fee, Oath/Declaration and/or Translation
- NATIONAL- Get a NOTICE OF MISSING PARTS, but still get the filing date
- NATIONAL STAGE- No filing date until Oath/Declaration, Translation and Fee are received
NOTE: FOT Rule “steps” you onto the National Stage
What is required to correct inventorship on an application?
Accomplished under 37 CFR 1.48
Correcting also covered in MPEP 600.02(c)
Must submit:
- Application Date Sheet- listing correct inventors
- Fee
- Oath/declaration of added inventor(s)