Patent Applications

Utility nonprovisional patent applications are typically published around 18 months from the priority date. This event usually comes and goes without much fanfare. Before your…

What is the purpose of a patent specification? One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to read a patent specification and think you…

What does a provisional patent application do? As suggested in its name, the “provisional” in provisional patent application has a connotation of temporary or conditional.…

What is a Fast-Track Appeal? Appealing a rejected patent application can take years. Normally, an appeal to the PTAB would be taken up for decision…

What is the purpose of utility patent drawings? We all (should) know that the figures, i.e., patent drawings, do not define the claimed invention in…

Thinking like a patent examiner We are privileged to have a former USPTO patent examiner, Lyman Smith, as Of Counsel patent attorney to our firm.…

Will you get a prior art search in your PCT patent application? Yes, a prior art patent search is typically made in each PCT application.…

Same patent by others in different country? If an earlier applicant obtains a patent first in their own country, can others subsequently patent the same…

Prior art cited in patent Office Action When prior art is cited in an Office Action to reject your claims, the typical reaction of applicants…

What is a patent publication? A patent publication is a published utility patent application which is not the same thing as a patent. While a…

Can a patent be renewed? No, you cannot renew a patent in the US. Technically speaking, US utility patents are maintained, not renewed. The connotation…

A Problem The journey to a granted patent starts with a problem. You search for a satisfactory solution, but can’t find any. Others may have…