Category: Patent Applications

Claims vs. Description of the Invention A utility patent is not a simple thing to understand. In a typical utility patent, you’ll see a bunch…

What are preferred embodiments? In any other context besides patents, “preferred embodiment” would sound quite strange. Yet, the term is used so commonly and frequently…

What are patent claim amendments? Claim amendments are a natural part of the utility patent process. A typical utility nonprovisional patent application will receive at…

What kinds of comments are useful in revising a draft patent application? So your patent attorney has sent you a first draft of your utility…

What are allowed or allowable claims in a utility patent application? So, the examiner indicates that your utility patent application has allowable claims. Congratulations! The…

Do you need a prototype before a patent is filed? No, you do not need to build a working prototype before filing a patent application.…

What does “obvious” mean in patent language? The everyday colloquial use of the term “obvious” is so simple that it can be hard to define.…

What is an invention funded by the federal government? Certain rules pertain to any private companies or persons seeking to patent a federal government funded…

Has your utility patent application been rejected? If your utility patent application has been rejected, welcome to the club. Approximately 90% of utility patent applications…

When is a divisional application appropriate? The option to file a divisional application arises if an Examiner thinks that your patent application contains multiple inventions…

What is a species restriction? A species restriction differs from the more commonly known Restriction Requirement which arises when an Examiner feels that a patent…

Expecting unexpected patent costs I still remember the one piece of sage advice given to prepare me for my wedding day: expect the unexpected. Having…