Filing Patents Online: A Professional Guide

by Sarfaraz K. Niazi

Overview

The average cost of an uncomplicated patent application filing is about $10,000. This high cost can leave thousands of inventors out in the cold. Filing Patents Online: A Professional Guide is a complete manual that walks inventors through each step of filing and prosecuting the patent online at a fraction of the cost. The online filing system recommended in the book allows continuous monitoring of the review status and for a much faster approval than the traditional route. Drawing from the many years of the author's experience as both an inventor and a patent agent, this guide teaches the methods of research, planning, and the art of writing winning claims that will result in commercially valuable patents.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138423060
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/18/2020
Pages:	462
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 — The Patent Filing Systems — Introduction — A Brief History of the Internet — U.S. Laws and Systems — International Patent Laws, Processes, and Systems — The Paris Convention — Patent Cooperation Treaty — European Patent Convention — Online and Electronic Filing Requirements — Chapter 2 — Patent Application Essentials — Introduction — Key Definitions — Misconceptions — Introduction to Patent Practice — Purpose of Patent — Laws Governing Patents — Important Dates — Parts of a Patent — Drawings (35 USC 113) — Specification (35 USC 112) — 112 f1 Requirement: Description, Enablement, and Best Mode — 112 |2 Requirement: Parts of a Claim — Reading a Claim — Punctuation of Claim — Definiteness of Claim — Narrowing of Claim — Dependent Claims (§112 f3-4) — Multiple Dependent Claims (§112 |5) — Dominant-Subservient Claims — Means-Plus-Function Clauses (§112 |6) — Process Claims — Step-Plus-Function Clauses — Ranges — Negative Limitations — Relative and Exemplary Terminology — Markush Group — Markush Alternates — Jepson-Type Claims, Improvement Claims — Mixed-Class Claims — Product-by-Process Claims — Novelty and Loss of Right to Patent: §102 — Date of Invention — Status of Invention — Types of §102 Events — §102(a) — §102(b) — §102(c) — §102(d) — §102(e) — §102(f) — §102(g) — §102 Special Forms — Obviousness /Nonobviousness (§103) — §103(a) — Manner of Invention — Graham v. John Deere: Fundamental Inquiry — Prima Facie Obviousness — Prima Facie Requirements — §102(e), (f), and (g) Events as §103 Prior Art — Admission as Prior Art under §103 — Rights and Procedures under the Patent Cooperative Treaty (PCT) — Definitions — Strategies — PCT Process — PCT Application — Significant §102(e) Issues — Pre-AIPA (Filed November 29, 2000 or Earlier) — Post-AIPA (Filed November 29, 2000 or Later) — Chapter 3 — Online Patentability Search — Introduction — Anatomy of a Patent — Patentability Search Online — Patent Office Resources — The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office — Keyword Selection and Searching — Patent Images — Published Application Search — Patent Classification Search — Searching with Classification — Patent Classification Example — Searching the Gazette — The European Patent Office — The World Intellectual Property Organization — Canadian Patent Office — Internet Search Engines — Technical Databases — Patent Searches and IP Services — Patent Copies and Search Facilities — Chapter 4 — Online Filing Basics — Introduction — USPTO — Obtain a Customer Number — Associate Customer Number with Patent Application(s) — Request a Digital Certificate — Obtain Access Codes — Set Up the Software — WIPO — PCT-EASY Registration — PCT-EASY Installation — PCT-SAFE — EPO — Chapter 5 — USPTO EFS Overview — EFS Purpose — EFS Software Overview — What EFS Supports — What EFS Does Not Support — Basic Steps to Using EFS — Getting Started — Word Processing and Imaging Programs — File Preparation — Obtain Specification Authoring Tools — Obtain Submission Software — Obtain PTO Direct Security™ — Technical Issues — Setup — EFS Software on Multiple Computers — Use of EFS Software on a Network — File Management — Web Browser — Operational Issues — General — Specification Authoring — Figures, Drawings, Chemical Structures, and Mathematical Equations — Additional Application Data — View /Print — Transmitting to the USPTO — Receipt of Filing — Fees /Payment — Troubleshooting /Errors — Chapter 6 — USPTO EFS Scenarios — Introduction — Terminology — Patent Application Publication Process and EFS Submissions — New Utility Application — The Applicant — The USPTO — Preparation for Authoring — Specification — Viewing — Submission Folder — Submission — Notes — EFS Filing Scenario with Compact Disc — The Applicant — The USPTO — New Utility Application with Assignment — Provisional Application — 18-Month Publication — The Applicant — The USPTO — Voluntary Pre-Grant Publication — Amended Publication as First Pre-Grant Publication by the USPTO — Redacted Publication Submission as First Pre-Grant Publication — by the USPTO — Redacted Publication Submission after Initial Publication — Corrected Publication Due to Error — Computer Readable Format Biotechnology Sequence Listing — for Pending Paper Application — Filing an Assignment Recordation for a Previously Filed Patent — Application Using EFS — Application Data Sheet — Case Study for a New Utility Application — Overview — Background — Preparation for Authoring the Patent Application Specification Document — Authoring the Patent Application Specification Document — Creating Necessary Transmittals and the Cover Sheet — Tracking Down the Application — Chapter 7 — USPTO: PASAT — Introduction — Getting Started — Creating New Specifications — Importing Specifications — Loading Specifications — Interface Features — Menus and Menu Options — Toolbars — Shortcut Keys — Office Assistant — Status Bar — Disabled Microsoft Word Features — Editing Specifications — Changing Tag and Entity Display — Using the Specification Map — Managing Selections — Managing Paragraphs — Adding Paragraphs — Splitting Paragraphs — Deleting Paragraphs — Renumbering Paragraphs — Managing Claims — Adding Claims — Adding Claim-Text Elements — Indenting Claim-Text Elements — Splitting Claim-Text Elements — Deleting Claim-Text Elements — Splitting Claims — Deleting Claims — Renumbering Claims — Managing Claim Dependencies — Creating Claim Dependency References — Redefining Reference Targets — Deleting Claim Dependency References — Formatting Text — Copy, Cut, and Paste — Paste Paragraphs — Paste Claims — Removing Double Emphasis Tags — Nonbreaking Spaces and Hyphens — Smart Quotes, Apostrophes, Fractions, and Double Hyphens — Reversing Operations — Managing Complex Work Units — Converting Equations, Formulae, Symbols, and Tables — to TIFF Images — Changing the Browser Display Font — Managing Tables — Managing Figures — Adding Figures — Reordering Figures — Removing Figures — Managing Special Characters — Inserting Custom Characters — Replacing Unknown Symbols — Deleting Special Characters — Entering Biological Deposit Data — Spell Check — Spell Check in Real-Time — Spell Check in Batch Mode — Finding and Replacing Content — Validating and Previewing Specifications — Validate Specification — Previewing Specifications — Saving and Exporting Specifications — Saving Specifications — Exporting Specifications — Chapter 8 — USPTO TSA — Introduction — Macro Setup — Template Setup Procedures — Overview of WordPerfect XML Template — The Template Environment — EFS Toolbars — Keyboard Shortcuts — Overview of EFS Tagging — The Display Codes View — Copy and Paste from Text Files — Paste and Tag Paragraphs — Insert Special Characters — Methods of Tagging — Resolving Tagging Errors — Correcting a Text Insertion Error — Correcting a Missing Tag Error — Correcting an Attribute Error — Using Undo to Correct an Error — Using Redo to Correct an Error — Authoring a Specification — Create a New Specification — Select Specification Sections — Add MPEP Recommended Section — Remove MPEP Recommended Section — Create a New Section — Title of Invention (Required) — Cross-Reference to Related Applications (Optional) — Continuity Data — Referenced Applications and Patents — Copyright Statement (Optional) — Federal Research Statement (Optional) — Compact Disc Appendix (Optional) — Background of Invention (Optional) — Summary of the Invention (Optional) — Brief Description of the Drawings (Conditional) — Brief Description of Sequences (Conditional) — Detailed Description of the Invention (Required) — Deposit of Computer Program Listings (Optional) — What Is Claimed (Required) — Basic Claim Tagging — Additional Claims — Indented Sections — Dependent Claim Reference — Display Claims — Abstract of the Disclosure (Required) — Figures (Optional) — Preparation for Attaching Figures — Attaching Figures — Formatting Images — Deleting a Figure — Authoring Wrap-Up — Renumber — Validation — Correcting Validation Errors — Character Mapping Error — Data Not Allowed Error — Element Not Allowed at This Point Error — Required Element Not Found Error — ID Is Not Unique Error — Attribute Source Is Not a Data Entity Error — Viewing the Submission — Troubleshooting: Images Do Not Display — Changes after Viewing — Commonly Used Elements — <Application-Reference> — <Artwork> — <Chemistry-CWU> — <Copyright> — <Custom-Character> — <Emphasis> — — <Lists> and <List-Item> — <Math-CWU> — <Paragraph> — <Patent-Reference> — — <Sub> — <Sup> — <Table> — Troubleshooting — Application Closes before Data Is Saved — WordPerfect-Specific Keyboard Shortcuts Fail — One or Both Toolbars Are Missing — Assistant or Template Menu Is Missing — Online Help — Tooltips — WordPerfect Help — Chapter 9 — USPTO PatentIn — Introduction — A Sequence Editor — A Sequence Generator — Getting Started: Sequence Screen — Project Menu — Viewing a Work File — Viewing a Sequence Listing — Viewing Error Reports — Rename Sequence — Message Dialog — Project and Applicant Data — Application Steps Menu — Project Data — Prior Application Information — Applicant Data — Sequences — Selecting a Standard Organism — Searching for a Sequence — Adding a Sequence — Importing a Sequence — Format for Multisequence Data Files to Be Imported — by PatentIn 3.x — Format for Single Sequence Data Files to Be Imported — by PatentIn 3.1 — Importing Sequences from a Project — Importing a 2.1 Project — Copying a Sequence — Reordering Sequences — Validating Sequences — Saving Sequences — Reloading a Saved Project — Adding Custom Codons — Adding a Custom Organism — Artificial Sequence or Unknown Organism — Feature Data — Sequence Features — Feature Key Selection — Additional Information Required for Modified_Base — Additional Information on CDS — Further Definition of “n” or “Xaa” — Selecting an Amino Acid — Additional Information for MOD_RES — Publication Data — Publication Data Screen — Journal Publications Information — Databases Publication Information — Patents Publication Information — Theses Publication Information — Creating a Sequence Listing Project File — Generating a Sequence Listing File — Viewing a Sequence Listing File — Copying the Sequence Listing to Disk — Checker for Biotechnology Sequence Listing — Checker Main Menu Window — Checker Edit File Button — Checker Process File Button — Checker View Errors Button — Checker View Report Button — Checker Help Button — Checker Exit Button — Checker Properties Dialog Box — About the Checker Dialog Box — List of Acronyms — Error Messages — Chapter 10 — USPTO ePAVE — Overview — Introduction — User Interface — Menus — Toolbar — Screens — General Tab — Filer Tab — Creating a New Filer — Changing Filer Data — Deleting a Filer — Forms Tab — Adding a Form — Removing a Form — Completing an Application Data Form — Application Details Tab — Inventors Tab — Publication Data-1 Tab — Publication Data-2 Tab — Representative Tab — Continuity Data Tab (Optional) — Foreign Priority Benefit Tab — Plant Information Tab — Fee Transmittal Form Tab — Attachments Tab — The Embedded Folder — Attaching a File — Removing a File — Validation Tab — Comments Tab — Submit Tab — Saving Submissions in Progress — Opening a Previously Created Submission — Templates — Saving Templates — Creating a Template — Using a Template — Printing — Printing Data Entry Screens /Submission — Viewing and Printing Submission — Printing Forms — Information Disclosure Statement Form — New Application — Citing a U.S. Patent on the IDS — Citing a Published U.S. Patent Application on the IDS — Including Remarks in the IDS — Completing the IDS Certification — Previously Filed Application — Assignment Recordation Form — Authoring Multiple Cover sheets — Form Validating Required Data Elements — Navigational Controls — Assignment Fee Info — Correspondence Data Tab — Conveying Party Data Tab — Receiving Party Data Tab — Subsequent Patent Assignment — Fee Transmittal Form — Properties Tab — Adding a Property — Changing a Property — Deleting a Property — Signature Tab — Adding an Attachment — Removing an Attachment — Rearranging the Attachments — Delivery Method Tab — Verifying Cover Sheets — Viewing the Assignment Recordation Form — Validation Tab — Validating Submission — Common Validation Errors — Printing Identified Errors — Validation Override — Comments Tab — Submit Tab — Signing Your Submission — Sending Your Filing to the USPTO — Digital Certificate Profile Log-In — Acknowledgment Receipt — Filing Large Submissions on Compact Disc — Saving Your Submission on CD — Notes to Specific Application Types — Provisional — New Utility — Publication Data-1 Tab — Publication Data-2 Tab — Continuity Data Tab — Foreign Priority Benefit Tab — Fee Calculation Tab — Pre-Grant Publication — Chapter 11 — USPTO Direct — Chapter 12 — WIPO PCT-EASY — Background — Online Filing Overview — Starting PCT-EASY — Creating a New Request Form — Templates — Right Mouse Button — Request Form Notebook Pages — Validation Function — Address Book — Previewing and Printing a Draft or Duplicate Request Form — Saving Forms before Submission — Preparing Requests for Submission — Fee Reduction — Filing a PCT Application Using PCT-EASY — PCT-EASY Software — Registration — PCT-EASY Installation — Creating a PCT International Patent Application — Request — Description, Claims, Abstract, Drawings — PCT-EASY Diskette — Nucleotide and Amino Acid Sequences — Language — Filing a PCT International Patent Application — The EASY File Manager — Creating New PCT Forms — What Are Categories? — Accessing Categories Functionality — Creating and Assigning Categories — Disassociating and Deleting Categories — Saved PCT Forms — Templates — PCT-EASY Central Outbox — Copying an Application to Diskette — Viewing an Application in the Outbox — Deleting Forms from the Outbox — Correcting an Error or Omission — EASY Central Stored Forms — Viewing an Application in the Stored Forms Folder — Adding International Application Number and Date — Recopying an Application to Diskette — Printing Duplicates of the Forms Printed during Submission — Correcting an Error or Omission from an Application Prepared for Submission or Transmitted — to the Receiving Office — Archiving Forms from the Stored Forms Folder — Deleting Files from the Stored Forms Folder — Address Book — Adding an Address to the Address Book — Viewing Address Book Contents — Importing and Exporting Entries — Archiving Files from the EASY Mail Directory, Stored Forms — Folder — PCT Fee Maintenance Tables — Reviewing Amounts — Using PCT Fees — Fee Template — Other File Manager Functionality — PCT-EASY Electronic Request Notebook — Speed Buttons — PCT-EASY Menu Bar Functions — PCT-EASY Master Table Functions — Request — States — Names — Priority — Biology (Indications Relating to Deposited Microorganism — and Other Biological Material) — Contents — Fees — Payment — Annotate — Abstract Editor Guidelines — Furnishing an Abstract — Filling in the Text of the Abstract from an External Source — Submission Process — Preparation for Submission — Starting the Submission Process — Confirmation — Submission Log — Signature — PCT-EASY Generated Request Form and Other Forms — Creation and Copying of the PCT-EASY Generated Zip File — to Diskette — Copying to Diskette Later — Correcting an Error or Omission from an Application — Prepared for Submission — Stored Forms — Extended Export /Import Functionality — Data Formats — Easy Forms and Templates Export — User Management — EASY Address Book Export — EASY Forms Import — Address Book Import — PCT-EASY IFF Functionality — Exporting Data to an IFF File — IFF File Structure — Chapter 13 — WIPO PCT SAFE — Introduction — Terminology — Summary Standards — E-PCT Format and Submission Structure — Types of Files — XML — ASCII — PDF — Image Formats — Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) — JPEG File Interchange Format (JFIF) — Submission Structure — Electronic Signature — Facsimile Signature — Text String Signature — Click-Wrap Signature — Enhanced Electronic Signature — Documents Packaging — Non-PKI-Based Package — PKI Package Types — Signed and Encrypted Package (SEP) — Transmission — Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) — PCT PKI Standards — Digital Certificates — Inspection — Communication — Applicant-Office (International Phase) Sector — ISA Sends International Search Report (ISR) with Cited — Documents to Applicant — RO Receives WASP or SEP — RO Validates Certificate and Signature — RO Performs Automated Formalities Examination on Purported — Application — RO Time-Stamps Application — RO Stores Application — Offline Transaction Using SEP, WASP, or WAD Packaging — on Physical Media — Applicant Sends Documents to RO — Filing Amendments — Applicant-Office (National Phase) Sector — Office to Office Communication — Chapter 14 — EPO epoline® — Introduction — Filing Online — Overview — Step 1: Create Patent Application Using epoline Online Filing — Step 2: Add All Required Documents — Step 3: Select “Submit Application” — Step 4: Complete the List of Signatories — Step 5: Check that All Documents Are Added — Step 6: Insert Smart Card in the Card Reader — Step 7: Select a User Certificate — Step 8: Enter a PIN Number — Step 9: Send Application Online — Step 10: Submission is Completed — Step 11: Receipt Is Returned from the EPO — Resending a Patent Application — Contacting epoline Customer Services — Troubleshooting FAQs — PDF Hints and Tips — Fonts in PDF Documents — Linking Fonts — Embedding Fonts — Identification of Possible Problem Areas — Which Tool Might Be the Best? — How to Verify that a PDF File Is Self-Contained — Paper Size — Additional Remarks — Acrobat Upgrades — Postscript Printer — Ghostscript and Ghostview — Generating PDF Documents Using a Scanner — Online File Inspection — Appendix — Glossary of Common Terms — Index.