Whether you start out in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, engineering management, or in civil engineering, a career change may be in the cards for you. The employment landscape of today rewards engineering graduates with the courage and perseverance to forge…
Question: Name two types of correspondence that may be transmitted by facsimile. Answer: Types of correspondence which may be transmitted by facsimile include: CPAs (available for design applications only), amendments, declarations, petitions, information disclosure statements (IDS), terminal disclaimers, notices of…
After graduation, many students experience some post-graduation consequences that are not much fun. The majority of 2016 college graduates found themselves approximately $37,000 in student loan debt and the average is growing. In addition, many college graduates have debt in…
Question: What are the three separate and distinct requirements of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112? Answer: 35 U.S.C. 112(a) and pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph require that the specification include the following three separate and distinct requirements:…
Why do job candidates get nervous during an interview? Dr. Tamar Chansky, the author of Freeing Yourself from Anxiety, believes the brain cannot distinguish between high stake situations such as a job interview and being under the threat of attack.…
Question: What does an applicant who uses the Patent Cooperation Treaty gain the benefit of? Answer: An applicant who uses the Patent Cooperation Treaty gains the benefit of: (A) a delay in the time when papers must be submitted to…
Whether you purchase a patent bar review course or try to navigate the Manual of Patent Examining Procedures on your own, the patent bar exam encompasses many subjects and is difficult. It is manageable. Like any other test, your time…
Question: What is a covered business method patent according to the AIA? Answer: The AIA specifies that a covered business method patent is a patent that claims a method or corresponding apparatus for performing data processing or other operations used…
Joining a patent law association allows members to stay at the forefront of intellectual property law. The members are made up of a diverse group of lawyers and other professionals in corporate and private practice, the academic community, law school,…
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…
A legal education is both an investment in a student’s future and a financial investment. Like all investments, before you apply for any student aid, considering the pros and cons of a massive expenditure of money, time, and effort is…
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…
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…
You’ve secured your first interview as a patent agent or patent attorney. The one most pressing question on your mind now, is what should you wear? One thing that you should be told at law school is that, typically, the…
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…
College loans are the most significant obstacle that prevents millennials from investing. In 2016, the average student debt was over $37,000. That figure is an increase of a little of 6% in 2015. Financial planners and investment managers offer these…
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:…
Waukeshia D. Jackson Waukeshia is a patent attorney and the co-founder and managing partner at Jackson & Lowe Law Group P.C. in Atlanta, Georgia. She has worked in the field of intellectual law for over 6 years at the time…
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…
The time has come. After much mental preparation and perhaps procrastination, you’ve decided to hunker down with a pot of coffee and all the material you need for the patent bar exam. However, you find that no matter what you…
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…
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.…
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…
If you’ve failed the patent bar exam, USPTO statistics show that you’re not alone. Each year, more than half the people taking this exam don’t pass it. Although many review companies would like you to believe their particular review course makes…
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…
The sweaty brow. The shaky palms. Everything about an in-person interview for a dream job screams nervousness, but it doesn’t have to be that way if you come prepared. Knowing the basics of a job interview, especially for something as…
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…
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…
You’re working on passing the patent bar exam now, but did you know there’s a lot you can do help help you find your first job even before you pass it? Networking takes time, so getting started now is the…
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…
