Patent Agent Services.com: FAQs Patent Questions

The two-year retention period is not a “grace period” during which the inventor can wait to file his or her patent application without possible loss of benefits. It must be recognized that, in establishing priority of invention, an affidavit or testimony referring to a Disclosure Document must usually also establish diligence in completing the invention or in filing the patent application after the filing of the Disclosure Document.

Question: How do I search for a particular patent number?

Answer:

There are several ways. The easiest is to use the Patent Number Search Page, enter the number you are searching for in the box provided, and hit the 'Search' Button. Alternatively, you can go to the Quick Search Page, select which year(s) you want to search by using the Select years to search menu, type the patent number in the Term 1 text entry box, and select 'Patent Number' from the Field 1 menu. Then hit the 'Search' button.

Question: Amendments to drawings filed after allowance are entered by the office of publications.

Answer:

Amendments to drawings filed after allowance are entered by the Office of Publications. If such amendment is forwarded to the examiner, the examiner should forward or return the application to the Office of Publications.

Did You Know?

Your invention may already be patented.

Public users may perform preliminary searches of patent information in a variety of formats including on-line, microfilm, and print at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Public Search Facility located in Alexandria, VA. State of the art computer workstations provide automated searching of patents issued from 1790 to the current week of issue. Full document text may be searched on U.S. patents issued since 1971 and OCR text from 1920 to 1970. U.S. patent images from 1790 to the present may be retrieved for viewing or printing. Some foreign patent documents are available.

Contact our Patent Professionals to ensure you complete the patent filing process correctly or for violation of your patent rights.

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Helpful Patent Terms

OG

Definition:
Official Gazette - weekly publication of the USPTO that includes regular and special notices of the Office.

ISA

Definition:
International Search Authority - either a national Office or an intergovernmental organization whose tasks include the establishment of documentary search reports on prior art with respect to inventions.

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