Archive for October 2013

Much like a continuation patent application, a divisional patent application is a patent application that includes the same disclosure as the parent application and claims priority to the parent application. …

Contrary to some rumors and what many would like, there is not an “International Patent” that gives worldwide protection.  If someone is promising you an International Patent, make sure to…

For each of design patent applications and utility patent applications, there are three types of applications and one procedure that should be discussed; namely, Continuation, Divisional, Continuation-in-part, and Request for…

If anyone, including the patent owner, believes that there is a question as to whether a patent is still valid due to some newly discovered old patent or other publication…

Regardless of whether any new prior art references exist, a patent owner may request that the patent owner’s patent be reissued with different claims.  If the patent owner makes this…

A request for continued examination (often called an RCE) is a procedure used to request additional prosecution time with the examiner.  After claims in an application have reached “final” rejection,…

This series includes a discussion of the most common types of patent applications used in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This first entry is simply a summary of…

The most basic type of patent application is a “provisional patent application.”  For both start-up companies and large companies with highly developed patent portfolios, there are many benefits that can…

Utility Patent Application Benefit:   Can give you a solid “Patent Pending” status that will be formally examined by the Patent Office and hopefully result in an enforceable patent.  Utility patents…

Design Patent Application Benefits:   Can give you “Patent Pending” status quickly and even “Issued Patent” status with less cost than a utility patent application and can protect the look of…