Category: Patent Applications

What prior art documents should be included in an Information Disclosure Statement (IDS)?

Why is an IDS required? The USPTO places an obligation on each patent applicant to disclose any known prior art references that are relevant to…

What are minimum USPTO fees that must be paid at the initial filing of US national stage patent application?

Bare Minimum Fee for Entering US National Stage The bare minimum official fee due upon filing a U.S. national phase patent application is the basic national fee. As of the…

Patent Search: What are differences between Novelty, Validity and Freedom-To-Operate Searches?

What are the different types of patent searches? A patent search can mean different things. So when you’re talking to a patent attorney about a…

What is PDX (Electronic Priority Document Exchange)?

When a U.S. national stage patent application or direct filing claims priority to a foreign application, a certified copy of the foreign priority document is required.…

Can a provisional patent application be filed in a foreign language?

Can a provisional patent application be filed in a non-English language? Provisional patent applications with non-English specifications can be filed with the USPTO. In order…

Are Provisional Patent Applications Published or Made Publicly Available?

Are provisional patent applications published? No, a provisional patent application is not published by the USPTO. However, they made be made publicly accessible under certain…

What is the Full First Action Interview Pilot Program (FAI)?

What First Action Interview is not Let’s first clarify what the First Action Interview (FAI) program does not do. The FAI program does not apply…

Where to find flat fee patent attorneys for filing patent and trademark applications at fixed rates

Flat fee patent applications Flat fee patent attorneys provide greater transparency and certainty for clients seeking to budget patent applications. Our firm can provide fixed…

Do You Need an NDA Before Talking to a Patent Attorney?

Need an NDA to talk to patent attorney? It’s a common question I get from startups, inventors, entrepreneurs and basically anyone starting up a new…

What is PPH (Patent Prosecution Highway)?

What is PPH? PPH stands for Patent Prosecution Highway, a cooperative program between the USPTO and participating foreign patent offices to expedite the allowance of…

Where can I find an IP checklist for startup companies?

What is an IP checklist? An IP checklist helps a startup company to make sure that fundamental IP rights are adequately protected. At a minimum,…

How to Challenge or Oppose a Pending Patent Application

Is there a way to challenge or oppose a patent application? Yes, any third party may file a preissuance submission to oppose a utility nonprovisional…

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