What is a utility nonprovisional patent application? Unlike design patents, utility patents protect functionality. To get a utility patent, you have to file a utility…
What does patent prosecution mean? Patent prosecution refers to the writing, filing and handling of patent applications. It encompasses the patent examination process from initial…
What does straight continuation mean? Patent attorneys will sometimes use the term “straight continuation” to refer to a specific type of child application that stems…
Will your patent be rejected? Almost certainly in a nonprovisional utility patent application, you will face rejections. In a design patent application, perhaps not so…
What is a smarter way to respond to multiple Office Actions? If you haven’t figured it out already, you’ll soon learn that your utility nonprovisional…
When must a continuation application be filed? Known as a child application, a continuation must be filed while the parent application is still pending. A…
How many patent Office Actions are possible? Unfortunately, there are no limits to how many patent Office Actions (OA) an Examiner can issue. Multiple Office…