Category: Patent Applications

What does patent obvious mean? To be patentable, an invention must be novel and nonobvious. Between these two requirements, novelty is easier to grasp. A…

The Old Days: Paper Patent Certificates It was only a matter of time. For those who prefer having physical originals, say goodbye to paper patent…

Focus on what matters most So much can be said, and has been said, about the patent application process. It can feel overwhelming. To avoid…

What makes an invention eligible for patent protection? Not every new thing is patentable. A concept might be unique, and yet ineligible for patent protection.…

How many US patents has patent attorney Vic Lin obtained for clients? As of the most recent update of this post, the total number of…

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…

Are methods of treating humans patentable in the US? Yes, a medical method of treatment is patentable in the US. Of course, methods of treating…

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 in your patent application? If you haven’t figured it out already, you’ll soon learn…

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…