Brief Summary:
This chapter discusses several miscellaneous topics such as the restrictions placed on former examiners aiding in the writing or prosecution of a patent application.
It also outlines the operation of the Official Gazette, including when it is published and the details of its contents.
The U.S. Philippines search engine is also touched upon briefly.
Key Terms:
| Disclosure Documents | Disclosure Documents are informal documents submitted to the patent office to establish a date of conception for an invention, but they do not provide any legal protection or rights. |
| Official Gazette | The Official Gazette is a publication by the patent office that provides official notices, information on newly issued patents, and other relevant legal announcements to the public. |
| Patent Trial and Appeal Board | The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) is an administrative body within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that conducts trials, including inter partes reviews, and hears appeals on adverse decisions made by patent examiners. |
37 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations):
| 37 CFR 11.10 – Restrictions on practice in patent matters; former and current Office employees; government employees. |
| 37 CFR 11.10 imposes restrictions on former and current U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employees, as well as other government employees, regarding their practice in patent matters to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure ethical conduct. |
35 USC (United States Code):
| 35 USC 4 – Restrictions on officers and employees as to interest in patents. |
| 35 USC 4 prohibits officers and employees of the United States Patent and Trademark Office from acquiring any interest in patents to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain impartiality in their official duties. |
Quick Statistics:
Number of Pages: 12 pgs
Sections: 1701 – 1730
List of Sections:
| 1701 | Office Personnel Not To Express Opinion on Validity, Patentability, Expiration Date, or Enforceability of Patent |
| • 1701.01 Office Personnel Not To Testify | |
| 1702 | Restrictions on Current and Former Office Employees Regarding Patent Matters |
| 1703 | The Official Gazette |
| 1704 | Application Records and Reports |
| 1705 | Examiner Docket, Time, and Activity Recordation |
| 1706 – 1719 | [Reserved] |
| 1720 | Dissemination of Court and Patent Trial and Appeal Board Decisions |
| 1721 | Treatment of Court and Patent Trial and Appeal Board Decisions Affecting Patent and Trademark Office Policy and Practice |
| 1722 | [Reserved] |
| 1730 | Information Sources |