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Patent search Also, patentability search - a search of references, such as patents and published applications to see if the invention has been done before and whether there are similar devices or processes that could make the invention obvious.
Patent term Utility and plant patents last for twenty (20) years from the date of filing. Design patents last for fourteen (14) years from the date of issue.
Patent term extension When the USPTO takes too long to take action on your patent, they may lengthen the term of a utility patent beyond the twenty-year period. There is no extension for the applicant's delay.
Patentee The patentee is the person or persons who are awarded a patent.
Petition A petition is filed when it is desired to have the USPTO take some action on the applicant's behalf or if it is believed that there has been an error by the USPTO.
Petition to make special A "special" application is a procedure for accelerating the prosecution of a patent application. "Special" applications are taken up out of turn and are examined as quickly as possible with a goal of reaching allowance within one year.
Photographs Photographs may be utilized for the drawings of a patent application under certain circumstances.
Plant Patent Plant patents are a third type of patent beyond utility and design patents. A plant patent may be granted for a new and distinct variety of plant that is asexually reproduced.
Power of attorney A power of attorney gives an attorney or agent (or one among a group of inventors) the ability to prosecute an inventor's patent application before the USPTO. No one other than an attorney, agent or applicant is permitted to prosecute applications before the USPTO.
Printed publication These include patents, published applications and all documents readily available to the public, such as journals, books, magazines and newspapers. The also include flyers and other promotional material. Clearly, other technologies such as radio and television programs can also constitute publications, along with the Internet.
Prior Art Prior art includes all published references in the field of the invention.
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