What is a Notice of Allowance in a patent application? A Notice of Allowance (NOA) is a USPTO document indicating that a patent application has been allowed. The approval of your patent application is basically the finish line of your journey and presumably the goal of every applicant. If you have received the NOA, congratulations! […]
Articles Tagged: continuing application
Can you file a design patent continuation application?
What is a design patent continuation application? US patent law allows an applicant to file a “child” patent application while the “parent” application is still pending. This means that while a pending application (parent) has not yet been granted or abandoned, a continuing application (child) may be filed. This rule applies to both utility and […]
How to block competitors with patents
Why one utility patent might not be enough Obtaining a utility patent is no minor accomplishment. You likely had to respond to at least one Office Action and overcome claim rejections on multiple grounds. Congratulations are in order. Yet you do not want to overlook the risk that competitors will find ways to avoid your […]
CIP vs. New Stand-Alone Patent Application: What are tradeoffs?
CIP or new patent application? When it comes to new subject matter that is related to a pending utility patent application, should you file a CIP (continuation-in-part) or new patent application without a priority claim? It’s not an easy decision, and each option comes with its own pros and cons. Option 1: New Stand-Alone Patent […]
CIP vs. Continuation: Which should you file?
CIP or Continuation: What are the differences? Both types of applications fall under the category of a continuing application. A continuing application is a separately filed application that is linked to a previously filed pending non-provisional application. By definition, the continuing application will have at least some of the original subject matter contained in the […]
Why file a continuing patent application?
Reasons for Filing a Continuing Application A continuing application is basically a child patent application that must be filed while the parent patent application is still pending. Two key reasons may justify filing a continuing application: You want to pursue different claims than those in the pending application; or You have invented new subject matter (e.g., […]
What are parent and child patent applications?
What is a parent application? A parent application is typically the first or prior nonprovisional patent application filed for an invention. A parent application may disclose multiple inventions. What is a child application? A child patent application is filed while a parent application is still pending (i.e., not issued or abandoned). By linking a child to a parent […]