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E

Enabling disclosure An enabling disclosure ensures that a person skilled in the art is capable making and using the invention by describing how to make and/or use the invention.

Essential material Essential material is material that is applicable to the invention's best mode and describes the invention.

Examiner An examiner is an employee who works at the United States Patent & Trademark Office who examines a patent application to determine if the invention taught is eligible for patent protection. Trademarks are examined by examining attorneys, who must be lawyers.

Expedited examination Generally, patent applications are reviewed according to their filing date. However, an applicant may file for an expedited examination by filing a “petition to make special,” which accelerates the examination process. The goal is to have the patent allowed within one year.

Express mail Correspondence to the Patent Office may be delivered via U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and such receives the date in (date mailed) on the Express Mail label. That is, papers filed by Express Mail are considered filed the date mailed rather than the date received.