What is patent prosecution?

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 filing to the grant, including all the back-and-forth responses with the USPTO. Prosecuting a patent application includes the following: Unlike a criminal prosecutor who is constantly involved in trials, patent […]

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What is a patent application? What makes it good?

Do you need a design or utility patent application? Are you trying to protect the functionality or the appearance of your idea? If the appearance (how it looks) is what matters, then a design patent application may be the right type of patent application. If the unique features of your concept are functional or structural, […]

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What is a good utility patent?

What makes a utility patent good? A patent can be both a sword and shield. Defensively, a patent blocks future applicants from patenting the same invention. Offensively, a patent can be enforced to pursue licensing or to stop competitors from infringing. In this post, we’ll look at what makes for a good utility patent on […]

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What is new matter?

What is the meaning of new matter in patent applications? New matter in a patent application typically refers to something recited in the claims that is not supported by the specification. It can also refer to a description that an applicant tries to add to the specification that goes beyond the scope of the original […]

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What are claim amendments?

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 least one Office Action rejecting the claims. It is highly likely that your Office Action response will contain a combination of claim amendments and arguments in order to overcome the […]

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From PCT to US National Stage: How to get the initial filing right

Before filing a US national stage patent application A PCT application provides several benefits beyond merely delaying the costs of filing individual national stage applications in desired countries. By taking advantage of these optional strategies while the PCT application is pending, an applicant can place their patent application in a more strategically effective position for […]

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What are strategies for getting a patent sooner?

What are effective patent strategies? Getting a utility patent can be a long and expensive slog. The utility patent process is fraught with obstacles that may tempt you to feel discouraged. Don’t expect quick and easy results. Without sugarcoating the burdensome process of obtaining utility patents, let’s explore some realistic strategies that may help you […]

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