Patent Bar MPEP Q & A Podcast

Question: When are electronic means or medium for filing IDSs permitted? Answer: As shown in chapter 600 … Electronic means or medium for filing IDSs are not permitted except for: IDSs electronically submitted using the USPTO patent electronic filing system; or copies of large tables, computer program listings, and sequence listings submitted as a PDF […] The post MPEP Q & A 307:...

Question: Where a petitioner files a motion to seal with the petition that seeks entry of a protective order other than the default protective order, a patent owner may only access the sealed confidential information prior to the institution of the trial by which options? Answer: Where a petitioner files a motion to seal with […] The post MPEP Q & A 306: Sealed confidential information...

Question: What must the supplemental search fee be accompanied by in addition to the payment? Answer: As shown in chapter 1800 … The supplemental search fee must be paid and be accompanied by: a protest and a request for refund of the supplemental search fee. Chapter Details: The answer to this question can be found […] The post MPEP Q & A 305: What must the supplemental search fe...

Question: What does routine discovery include? Answer: Routine discovery includes: Production of any exhibit cited in a paper or testimony; The cross-examination of the other sides declarants; and Relevant information that is inconsistent with a position advanced during the proceeding. Routine discovery places the parties on a level playing field and streamlines the proceeding. Board […] The...

Question: What should a request for a certificate of correction filed via the patent electronic filing system use as the document description? Answer: “A request for a certificate of correction filed via the patent electronic filing system should use the document description: Request for Certificate of Correction.” Chapter Details: The answer to this question can […] The post MPEP Q & A...

Question: What are the major differences between 35 U.S.C. 102(c) and the CREATE Act? Answer: The major differences between 35 U.S.C. 102(c) and the CREATE Act are the following: 35 U.S.C. 102(c)is keyed to the effective filing date of the claimed invention, while the CREATE Act (pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(c)) focuses on the date that the claimed invention […] The post MPEP Q & A 302: Major...

Question: All substantive communications with the Board regarding a proceeding must include all parties to the proceeding, except as otherwise authorized. What does the prohibition on ex parte communications not extend to? Answer: All substantive communications with the Board regarding a proceeding must include all parties to the proceeding, except as otherwise authorized. The prohibition […...

Question: What is the difference between sequence listing requirements filed before or after July 1, 2022? Answer: For applications filed before July 1, 2022, the sequence listing can be a “Sequence Listing” (as an ACSII plain text file in compliance with 37 CFR 1.821-1.824) submission must be submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system […] The post MPEP Q & A 300: Differenc...

Question: What should a motion to exclude evidence include? Answer: A motion to exclude evidence should: (a) Identify where in the record the objection originally was made; (b) Identify where in the record the evidence sought to be excluded was relied upon by an opponent; (c) Address objections to exhibits in numerical order; and (d) […] The post MPEP Q & A 299: What should a motion to...

Question: A “Sequence Listing XML” may be submitted as a XML file with a “.xml” extension via the USPTO patent electronic filing system or as read-only optical discs. What does such a submission require? Answer: Such submission requires that applicant provide a statement in a separate paragraph that incorporates by reference the material in the […] The post MPEP Q & A 298: Submission re...

Question: List two exemplary situations where a certificate of correction under 35 U.S.C. 255 may not be appropriate. Answer: Exemplary situations where a certificate of correction under 35 U.S.C. 255 may not be appropriate: (A) Adding or correcting a claim to a prior application having a filing date before March 16, 2013 in a patent that was examined (as […] The post MPEP Q & A 297: Li...

Question: List the criteria for “Large Tables” that may be submitted in electronic form in ASCII plain text. Answer: “Large Tables” that may be submitted in electronic form in ASCII plain text are: any individual table that is more than 50 pages in length, or multiple tables, if the total number of pages of all […] The post MPEP Q & A 296: List the criteria for “Large Tables” appeared f...

Question: Which of the following new trial proceedings can the patent owner file a preliminary response for? Answer: The patent owner is afforded an opportunity to file a preliminary response for inter partes review (IPR), postgrant review (PGR), and covered business method patents (CBM). Chapter Details: This question comes from the following supplement “Patent Trial […] The post MPEP Q &#0...

Question: What are the two aspects every requirement to restrict has? Answer: Every requirement to restrict has two aspects: the reasons (as distinguished from the mere statement of conclusion) why each invention as claimedis either independent or distinct from the other(s); and the reasons why there would be a serious search and/or examination burden on […] The post MPEP Q & A 294: Wha...

Question: Who conducts derivation proceedings, inter partes reviews, and post-grant reviews? Answer: The Board is to conduct derivation proceedings, inter partes reviews, and post-grant reviews. Chapter Details: This question comes from the following supplement “Patent Trial and Appeal Board Consolidated Trial Practice Guide November 2019”. This is a special supplement that at the time of […...

Question: List two changes the Hague Agreement Article 16(1) provides for in the International Register by the International Bureau. Answer: Hague Agreement Article 16(1) provides for the recording of certain changes in the International Register by the International Bureau, including: a change in ownership of the international registration; a change in the name or address […] The post MPEP...

Question: When did the derivation rules go into effect? Answer: The derivation rules went into effect 18 months after AIA enactment (March 16, 2013). Chapter Details: This question comes from the following supplement “Patent Trial and Appeal Board Consolidated Trial Practice Guide November 2019”. This is a special supplement that at the time of this […] The post MPEP Q & A 291: When did...

Question: How should measurements be given within a patent application? Answer: In order to minimize the necessity in the future for converting dimensions given in the English system of measurements to the metric system of measurements when using printed patents as research and prior art search documents, all patent applicants should use the metric (S.I.) […] The post MPEP Q & A 290: Us...

Question: List two situations that are not considered new grounds of rejection? Answer: Where the statutory basis for the rejection remains the same, and the evidence relied upon in support of the rejection remains the same, a change in the discussion of, or rationale in support of, the rejection does not necessarily constitute a new […] The post MPEP Q & A 289: List two situations that...

Question: How may an examiner treat an amendment not fully responsive to a non-final Office action? Answer: An examiner may treat an amendment not fully responsive to a non-final Office action by: (A) accepting the amendment as an adequate reply to the non-final Office action to avoid abandonment under 35 U.S.C. 133 and 37 CFR1.135; […] The post MPEP Q & A 288: How may an examiner treat...

Question: When inconsistent information is given for an application data sheet, what submission will govern control according to 37 CFR 1.76(d)(1)? Answer: 37 CFR 1.76(d)(1) provides that the most recent submission will govern (control) with respect to inconsistencies as between the information provided in an application data sheet, a designation of a correspondence address, or […] The post...

Question: What are the factual inquiries of obviousness enunciated by the Court? Answer: Obviousness is a question of law based on underlying factual inquiries. The factual inquiries enunciated by the Court are as follows: (A) Determining the scope and content of the prior art; (B) Ascertaining the differences between the claimed invention and the prior […] The post MPEP Q & A 286: What...

Question: What do the provisions of 37 CFR 1.114, request for continued examination, not apply to? Answer: The provisions of 27 CFR 1.114, Request for continued examination, do not apply to: (1) A provisional application; (2) An application for a utility or plant patent filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) before June 8, 1995; (3) An […] The post MPEP Q & A 285: What don’t the provisions of 37...

Question: When will a provisional application be given a filing date? Answer: A provisional application filed on or after December 18, 2013 will be given a filing date as of the date a specification, with or without claims, is received in the Office. Chapter Details: The answer to this question can be found in chapter […] The post MPEP Q & A 284: When will a provisional application be g...

Question: List at least 3 special cases (those which are advanced out of turn for examination). Answer: The following is a list of special cases (those which are advanced out of turn for examination): (A) Applications on inventions that are deemed of peculiar importance to some branch of the public service and when for that […] The post MPEP Q & A 283: List of special cases appeared fir...