Patent Applications

What are negative claim limitations? A negative claim limitation is language recited in a patent claim that speaks to the absence of a feature, as…

How to Transfer Patent Ownership Patent ownership starts with the inventors. It is fairly straightforward, however, to transfer ownership to a company. Every patent application…

Drawing the line between old and new The term “prior art” is frequently used in the patent world to refer to what already exists. It’s the…

What is a Section 112 indefinite rejection? Patent claims must follow certain rigid rules in terms of format and language. For this reason, claims will often…

What are excess claims? In a US nonprovisional utility patent application, the USPTO will charge additional government fees for claims that exceed certain limits. The…

How can a novelty search can help you file a utility nonprovisional patent application? Before investing in an expensive utility patent application, a utility novelty…

Yes, software can be patented. However, the road to a granted patent may be long, frustrating and expensive. Let’s dive into the factors that can…

What is a patent examiner interview? Patent examiners are human. This simple truth is often overlooked in the back-and-forth written communications with the USPTO. An…

What is a patent extension of time? Responses to Office Actions may typically be extended. A typical patent Office Action provides the applicant with a…

USPTO IDS Fees Depend upon Timing Applicants have an obligation to tell the USPTO about known prior art that is relevant to their patent applications.…

What makes a patent pending invention obvious? A Section 103 rejection based on obviousness is one of the most common rejections in utility patent applications.…

What is a novel invention? Patent novelty refers to the uniqueness of an invention. To be patentable, an invention must be both novel and nonobvious. An…