Patent Bar MPEP Q & A Podcast

Question: How can applicants rebut a prima facie case of obviousness based on overlapping ranges? Answer: Applicants can rebut a prima facie case of obviousness based on overlapping ranges by showing the criticality of the claimed range. In addition, an applicant can rebut a presumption of obviousness based on a claimed invention that falls within […] The post MPEP Q & A 129: How Applic...

Question: Who must sign the power of attorney for applications filed on or after September 16, 2012? Answer: For applications filed on or after September 16, 2012, a power of attorney must be signed by the applicant for patent or the patent owner (for reissue applications, reexamination proceedings and supplemental examination proceedings). An assignee who […] The post MPEP Q & A 128: I...

Question: What must a statement under 37 CFR 1.97(e) state? Answer: A statement under 37 CFR 1.97(e) must state either: That each item of information contained in the information disclosure statement was first cited in any communication from a foreign patent office in a counterpart foreign application not more than three months prior to the […] The post MPEP Q & A 127: What Must a State...

Question: When must a third party submission be made? Answer: A third-party submission must be filed prior to the earlier of: The date a notice of allowance is given or mailed in the application; or The later of: (i) Six months after the date on which the application is first published by the Office, or […] The post MPEP Q & A 126: Time When a Third Party Submission Must be Made appeare...

Question: 35 U.S.C. 322 covers petitions involved in post-grant reviews. 35 U.S.C. 322(a) provides that a petition filed under 35 U.S.C. 321 may be considered. List two reasons why a petition filed under 35 U.S.C. 321 may be considered. Answer: 35 U.S.C. 322(a) provides that a petition filed under 35 U.S.C. 321 may be considered […] The post MPEP Q & A 125: Reasons Why a Petition Filed...

Question: In what two situations is the examiner not responsible for examining the sufficiency of the showing? Answer: The examiner is not responsible for examining the sufficiency of the showing except when: The application claim is subject to a rejection under 35 U.S.C. 102(a) or (e) and the applicant files an interference suggestion instead of […] The post MPEP Q & A 124: Situations...

Question: A Certificate of correction may be used in order to correct an issued patent as long as the filing was made without deceptive intent in what situations? Answer: A Certificate of correction may be used in order to correct an issued patent as long as the filing was made without deceptive intent in the […] The post MPEP Q & A 123: What Situation May a Certificate of Correction be...

Question: List an advantage of filing a CPA compared to a continuation or divisional application. Answer: The following list includes advantages of filing a CPA compared to a continuation or divisional application: The papers required to be filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in order to secure a filing date under 37 CFR 1.53(d) […] The post MPEP Q & A 122: Advantages of Filin...

Question: List 2 times when a request for continuing examination may be proper. Answer: A request for continued examination may be proper when: An Office action is a final rejection. A Notice of Allowance has issued. An Office action under Ex Parte Quayle (this is a legal proceeding, the details of which are not discussed […] The post MPEP Q & A 121: Times When a Request for Continuing...

Question: What may an applicant do in response to a rejection based on failure to claim patent-eligible subject matter? Answer: In response to a rejection based on failure to claim patent-eligible subject matter, applicant may: Amend the claim, e.g., to add additional elements or modify existing elements so that the claim as a whole amounts […] The post MPEP Q & A 120: What May an Appli...

Question: When is a reference analogous art to the claimed invention? Answer: A reference is analogous art to the claimed invention if: The reference is from the same field of endeavor as the claimed invention (even if it addresses a different problem); or The reference is reasonably pertinent to the problem faced by the inventor […] The post MPEP Q & A 119: When is a Reference Analogou...

Question: What must an appellant file if he or she wishes to reinstate an appeal after prosecution is reopened? Answer: If an appellant wishes to reinstate an appeal after prosecution is reopened, appellant must file a new notice of appeal and a complete new appeal brief. Chapter Details: The answer to this question can be […] The post MPEP Q & A 118: Item an Appellant Must File If He o...

Question: An error in a recorded assignment document will be corrected by the Assignment Division provided a “corrective document” is submitted. What items must the “corrective document” include? Answer: The “corrective document” must include the following items: A copy of the original assignment document with the corrections made therein. The corrections must be initialed and […] The post M...

Question: What is one consequence that may result where the patent owner fails to make a timely appeal after the issuance of a Right of Appeal Notice, or where a timely patent owner’s appeal is subsequently dismissed? Answer: Where the patent owner fails to make a timely appeal after the issuance of a Right of […] The post MPEP Q & A 116: Consequence That May Result Where Patent Owner F...

Question: What is the order of arrangement for the specification? Answer: The following order of arrangement is preferable in framing the specification. (A) Title of the invention. (B) Cross-reference to related applications. (C) Statement regarding federally sponsored research or development. (D) The names of the parties to a joint research agreement (E) Reference to a […] The post MPEP Q &...

Question: Name 2 individuals who may grant written authority to status information in a non-published, pending or abandoned application. Answer: A non-published, pending or abandoned application containing written authority granting access to the requester allows the requester access to status information if it is signed by any of the following individuals: The applicant; A patent […] The po...

Question: List 2 requirements of the summary of abstract. Answer: The summary of abstract should preferably be between 50 and 150 words. It should contain the following: (A) Indication of field of invention. (B) Clear indication of the technical problem. (C) Gist of invention’s solution of the problem. (D) Principal use or uses of the […] The post MPEP Q & A 113: List 2 Requirements of...

Question: What does 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) provide? Answer: AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) provides that a person is not entitled to a patent if the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under 35 U.S.C. 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under 35 U.S.C. 122(b), in which the patent or […] The post MPEP Q & A 112: What Does 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) Provide? a...

Question: In addition to the list of all patents, publications, U.S. applications, or other information submitted for consideration by the Office, what else must each information disclosure statement include a legible copy of? Answer: In addition to the list of information, each information disclosure statement must also include a legible copy of: (A) Each foreign […] The post MPEP Q &...

Question: What must a petition filed on or after September 16, 2012 be accompanied by to correct the inventorship in a patent? Answer: A petition filed on or after September 16, 2012 to correct the inventorship in a patent must be accompanied by all of the following: (1) A statement from each person who is […] The post MPEP Q & A 110: What a Petition Filed On or After September 16, 2012...

Question: List one way inter partes reexamination differs from ex parte reexamination. Answer: Inter partes reexamination differs from ex parte reexamination in matters of procedure, such as when the third party requester can participate, the types of Office actions and the timing of issuance of the Office actions, and the requirement for identification of the […] The post MPEP Q & A 10...

Question: List two computer functions recognized to be well‐understood, routine, and conventional functions when they are claimed in a merely generic manner. Answer: The courts have recognized the following computer functions to be well‐understood, routine, and conventional functions when they are claimed in a merely generic manner: Performing repetitive calculations, Receiving, processing, and st...

Question: Name two times when an applicant may want to consider an explicit petition for foreign filing licenses. Answer: Explicit petitions for foreign filing licenses may be considered by applicants when: the filing receipt license is not granted; the filing receipt has not yet been issued; there is no corresponding U.S. application; subject matter additional […] The post MPEP Q & A 1...

Question: Name two indicia that a continuing reissue application is being filed. Answer: Indicia that a continuing reissue application is being filed are: A reissue oath/declaration, which is not merely a copy of the parent’s reissue oath/declaration. A specification and/or claims in proper double column reissue format. Amendments in proper format. A statement of assignee […] The post MPEP Q...

Question: For participation in the Global/IP5 PPH pilot program at the USPTO, does the applicant need to submit a petition fee under 37 C.F.R. 1.17(h). Answer: No, for participation in the Global/IP5 PPH pilot program at the USPTO, the applicant must submit: A request for participation in the Global/IP5 PPH pilot program and a request […] The post MPEP Q & A 105: Petition Fee Requiremen...