MPEP Q and A Podcast

Question: Who may file a petition for a covered business method patent review? Answer: A petitioner may not file a…

Question: Who does the duty of disclosure in reexamination proceedings apply to? Answer: The duty of disclosure in reexamination proceedings…

Question: Where may information material to patentability come from? Answer: Sources of information may include: co-workers trade shows communications from…

Question: What must an international application contain? Answer: Any international application must contain the following elements: request, description, claim or…

Question: When should a Certificate of Correction be filed instead of a reissue? Answer: While reissue is a vehicle for…

Question: What does bibliographic data include? Answer: Bibliographic data includes: inventor information; correspondence information; application information; representative information; domestic benefit…

Question: What are the three separate and distinct requirements required of the specification by 35 U.S.C. 112(a) and pre-AIA 35…

Question: When may a protest be submitted? Answer: A protest must be submitted prior to the mailing of a Notice…

Question: List one way possession may be shown. Answer: Possession may be shown in many ways. For example, possession may…

Question: What is the first step of the three-step process for the recapture rule? Answer: The first step of the…

Question: What three things does the relevance of long-felt need and the failure of others to the issue of obviousness…

Question: List one of the underlying factual inquiries of obviousness. Answer: The factual inquiries enunciated by the Court are as…

Question: What is the strongest rationale for combining references? Answer: The strongest rationale for combining references is a recognition, expressly…

Question: What may the grounds of refusal for a notification of refusal be based on? Answer: The grounds of refusal…

Question: Name one circumstance where an applicant may make amendments. Answer: The applicant may amend: before or after the first…

Question: When does jurisdiction over the proceeding pass to the Board? Answer: Jurisdiction over the proceeding passes to the Board…

Question: What must a request for republication include? Answer: A request for republication must include: a copy of the application…

Question: What is one way an ex parte reexamination proceeding may be concluded? Answer: Ex parte reexamination proceedings may be…

Question: Is an electronic publication considered to be a “printed publication” within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and pre-AIA…

Question: List two types of government organizations that cannot qualify as a nonprofit organization. Answer: Government organizations, whether domestic or…

Question: Name the four conditions which, if all are present, establish a statutory bar under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(d). Answer:…

Question: What are the two ways in which permission to file a patent application abroad may be obtained? Answer: The…

Question: Who may provoke an interference? Answer: Interferences may be provoked by: an examiner an applicant Chapter Details: The answer…

Question: What does AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a) state? Answer: Specifically, AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a) states that: [a] person shall be…

Question: What are the due dates for paying the maintenance fee without a surcharge? Answer: Due dates for paying without…

Question: Where must the correspondence address appear in applications filed before September 16, 2012? Answer: The correspondence address in applications…

Question: What will a Right of Appeal Notice (RAN) set forth? Answer: The RAN will identify the status of each…

Question: How can a patent owner get the Office to send correspondence to a different address for the supplemental examination…

Question: Name one type of issue that may trigger a rejection. Answer: Rejections are usually made due to issues with…

Question: What must a party wishing to correct a typographical error on a recorded cover sheet submit? Answer: A party…