Patents – An Overvie · 2017-09-21 · Patent Examination Process Overview. USPTO. Pre-Exam....
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Transcript of Patents – An Overvie · 2017-09-21 · Patent Examination Process Overview. USPTO. Pre-Exam....
Patents – An Overview
Objectives• Patent basics• Process of Filing a Patent Application• Resources for Inventors, Innovators, and
Entrepreneurs
What is a Patent?• A Property Right
– Right to exclude others from making, using, selling, offering for sale or importing the claimed invention
– Limited term– Territorial: protection only in territory that
granted patent; NO world-wide patent
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Presentation Notes
Can mention PCT Copied form IP Basics_CornellTech_25 Nov2014
Why get a Patent?• A patent can:
– Help to gain entry into, and deterothers from, a market
– Attract investors– Be used as a marketing tool to promote unique aspects of
a product – Be asserted against an infringer or competitor– Be used as collateral to obtain funding and increase
leveraging power– Create revenue – sell or license like other property
• Patents are a form of property that can add value to a company’s assets
Pre-filing Decisions• Should I file an application?
– Prior art search– Business plan – who will buy the invention?
• When should I file?• Where should I file?• What type of application(s) to file?• Who should prepare the application(s)?
Who Should File the Application?A Patent application can be filed by any of:
– Assignee (owner) of the invention– Person with sufficient proprietary interest– Inventor!
Roadmap to Filing a Patent Application Video athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmvAeCL0IHQ
What happens after I get my patent?• Licensing• Enforcement• More innovation and competition• Administrative Trials• Litigation• Etc…
When should you file?United States is a First Inventor to File System!• Looking for international protection?
– You must file before public disclosure
• Only want U.S. protection?– You can file within one year after your public disclosure– Better practice is to file a provisional application before
disclosure
What should you file?• Types of US Patents
– Utility: any new and useful process, article of manufacture, machine, or composition, or improvement thereof
– Design: a new original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture
– Plant: any distinct and new variety of plant that is invented or discovered and asexually reproduced
Types of Patent ApplicationsProvisional:
• One year period
• Filed for filing date priority for later-filed non-provisional
• Not examined, so no patent
• Not allowed for design
Non-Provisional:
• 20-year patent protection from filing date
• Examined for patentability
• Claims required
Non-Provisional Utility PatentsA utility patent may be granted for a new, nonobvious and useful (35 U.S.C. 101):• Process • Machine • Article of manufacture • Composition of matter • Improvement of any of the above Non-provisional utility applications are the most common type of application received by the USPTO
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Presentation Notes
579,782 regular utility; 1,124 plant; 36,126 design; 169,170 provisional in FY 2014
What Does a Non-Provisional Utility Application Include?
• Title• Abstract
– no more than 150 words• Drawings
– if necessary to explain invention• Background of the Invention• Brief Summary of the Invention• Brief Description of the Drawings• Detailed Description
– how to make and use the claimed invention• Claims
– define your property right
Patent Examination Process Overview
USPTOPre-Exam
Application is filedby Inventor or Assignee
Notice of Allowance
USPTO Grants Patent
APPLICANTEXAMINER
Amendment and/or argument
Appeal
Rejection and/or objection
Abandonment
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Presentation Notes
This and the next slide show a flowchart, which shows the simplified patent examination and appeal process. This flow chart also explains how USPTO performs its duty and functions in the U.S legal system. Blue outlines the examination process. Although patent examiners play important roles in the patent examination, other supporting staff, non-patent examiners, are very important in the patent examination and appeal process. For example, Pre-exam; TSS, etc. XXXXX Patent examination consists of multiple Office actions on the merits, and applicant(s) responses. During the patent examination process, applicants file their patent applications to USPTO, and examiners at USPTO review the applications on their merits according to the US Patent laws. If the claims are found to comply with the US Patent laws, i.e., are novel and non-obvious, USPTO grants a patent to the applicant.
Important Questions for Claim DraftingPrior to writing claims answer these questions: What is the invention? What are the pieces and parts that make up the invention? How do the pieces and parts relate to one another? Do you have more than one invention? Apparatus, machine, composition of matter Method of Making or Using
Are there multiple versions of each invention?
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Copied from Claim Drafting Beginners in Past Presentation folder
Help for Applicants
RESOURCES AND OPTIONS
STOPfakes.govOne-stop shop for U.S.government tools andresources (from multipleagencies) on intellectualproperty rights (IPR) Provides informationand assistance on IPRprotection including:
IPR protection in the U.S. IPR protection abroadHow to report counterfeit and falsely labeled goods
Features of thewebsite
Apply online for a patent using EFS-Web Obtain status of a patent applicationDetermine when an application will be picked up for examination (First Office Action Estimator)Access details of all currently pending published patent applications (Public PAIR)Search US patent database Search patent classificationDownload forms and fee schedulesInformation about Pro Se and Pro Bono programs InventorsAssistance Center (AIC), IP Awareness Assessment Tool,Patents Ombudsman Program, scam prevention
Inventor & Entrepreneurs Resources
Wide variety of resources tohelp Independent Inventorsand EntrepreneursPro Se, Pro Bono, Education& Information, Current Events, State Resources, and morehttp://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/inventors-entrepreneurs-resources
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The IAC can be reached by telephone at 800-786-9199. Additionally, the USPTO maintains an extensive FAQ page with answers to many common patent questions.
Provide access to resources such as PubEAST and PubWEST,examiner-based search systemsDirect you to information and explain the application process and feescheduleDemonstrate how to use search tools to conduct a patent or trademark searchShow you a directory of local patent attorneys who are licensed topractice before the USPTOOffer classes on intellectual property (varies by location) Offerassistance on how to do historical research patents andtrademarksShow you how to track current research by company or nonprofit Help you find assignee information and much more
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: https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/support-centers/patent-and-trademark-resource-centers-ptrc/ptrc-locations
Pro Bono ProgramIn general there are 3 basic requirements:Income below a certain threshold Knowledge of the patent system Possession of an actual invention (not just an idea)
More information can be found at: http://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/using-legal-services/pro-bono/patent-pro-bono-program
Pro Se Assistance Program
The Pro Se Assistance Program offers various services to the public, including:Dedicated personnel for assisting Pro Se Applicants Walk-in assistance for the general public at USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, VATargeted support to connect applicants with relevant resources and informationOnline resources
More information can be found at: http://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/using-legal-services/pro-se-assistance-program
Basic Fees
Utility (Large Entity / Small Entity / Micro Entity)Basic filing fee: $280 / $140 / $70 Search fee: $600 / $300 / $150 Examination fee: $720 / $360 / $180 Issue fee: $960 / $480 / $240Non-electronic filing fee: $400 / $200 / $200
Design (Large Entity / Small Entity / Micro Entity)Basic filing fee: $180 / $90 / $45 Search fee: $120 / $60 / $30 Examination fee: $460 / $230 / $115 Issue fee: $560 /$ 280 / $140
Micro Entity (75% reduction in most fees)The AIA defines a micro entity as an applicant who certifies that he/she:1. Qualifies as a small entity2. Has not been named as an inventor on more than 4
previously filed patent applications3. Did not, in the calendar year preceding the calendar year in
which the applicable fee is paid, have a gross income exceeding 3 times the median household income
4. Has not assigned, granted, or conveyed (and is not under obligation to do so) a license or other ownership interest in the application concerned to an entity that, in the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the applicable fee is paid, had a gross income exceeding 3 times the median household income.
Certification of Micro Entity StatusForm PTO/SB/15A http://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/forms/sb0015a.pdf
IP Awareness AssessmentTool
• The IP Assessment includes the 5 general categories that
are included in all assessments.• IP Strategies & Best Practices
International IP Rights• IP Asset Tracking Licensing
Technology to Others UsingTechnology of Others
• There are 5 additional categories that all cantake or, which may be customized through aPre-assessment.
• Copyrights Design Patents Trademarks Trade Secrets Utility Patents
• http://www.uspto.gov/inve
• ntors/assessment/
Patent Application Initiatives
You can get to the program pages by
selecting a tile.
There are numerous programs that may speed up the examination process
http://www.uspto.gov/patent/initiatives/uspto-patent-application-initiatives-timeline
Track One – Prioritized Examination• Goal to provide a final disposition within
twelve months, on average, of prioritized status being granted.
• Fee – $4000/$2000 small entity as of 3/1/2015
• Claim Limits – 4 Independent, no more than 30 claims
Resources• Comprehensive Information and Training Material for First Inventor to File:
http://www.uspto.gov/patent/laws-and-regulations/america-invents-act-aia/patents-examination
• Inventor Resources: http://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/inventors-entrepreneurs-resources
• IP Awareness Assessment Tool: http://www.uspto.gov/inventors/assessment/index.html
• Patent Litigation: http://www.uspto.gov/patents-maintaining-patent/patent-litigation/patent-litigation
• Pro Se Assistance Program: http://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/using-legal-services/pro-se-assistance-program
• Pro Bono Program: http://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/using-legal-services/pro-bono
• Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP): http://www.uspto.gov/patent/laws-and-regulations/manual-patent-examining-procedure
Thank You!
ContactsKara Geisel, SPE Art Unit 2877, 571-272-2416, [email protected]
Melissa Koval, SPE Art Unit 2866, 571-272-2121, [email protected]
Julio Maldonado, Art Unit 2898, 571-272-1864, [email protected]
