35 USC

1
Benefit Claims to Prior Applications under 35
U.S.C. 119(e), 120, 121, and 365(c)
Prepared by Office of Patent Legal
Administration (OPLA) Robert J. Spar,
Director [phone] Bob.Spar_at_USPTO.gov
2
Benefit Claimsunder 35 USC 120, 121, and
365(c)

• Must include a specific reference to the
  prior-filed nonprovisional application in
• the first sentence of the specification or
• the application data sheet (ADS).

3
Benefit Claimsunder 35 USC 120, 121, and
365(c)

• Specific reference to a nonprovisional
  application requires the following
• Identification of the prior-filed application by
  application number and
• Indication of the specific relationship (i.e.,
  continuation, divisional, or continuation-in-part)
  of the applications
• Exception If application is a CPA, the request
  for CPA is the required specific reference, rule
  1.53(d)(7)
• Example 1 This application is a continuation
  of Application No. 10/---, filed---.

4
Types of Benefit Claims

• Benefit Claims to Multiple Applications under 35
  USC 120, 121, and 365(c)
• Benefit Claims to International (PCT)
  Applications under 35 USC 120, 121, and 365(c)
• Benefit Claims to Provisional Applications under
  35 USC 119(e)
• Benefit Claims to Provisional via Intermediate
  Nonprovisional Application under 35 USC 120,
  365(c) 119(e)
• Benefit Claims to Provisional via Intermediate IA
  under 35 USC 120, 365(c) 119(e)

5
Benefit Claims to Multiple Applicationsunder 35
USC 120, 121, and 365(c)

• If the benefit claims involve a chain of
  nonprovisional applications,
• the relationship must be stated for each
  application (in the chain) relative to an
  immediate prior application, as a continuation,
  divisional, or continuation-in-part, to establish
  copendency throughout the entire chain.

6
Benefit Claims to Multiple Applicationsunder 35
USC 120, 121, and 365(c)

• Example 2 This application is a continuation
  of Application No. C, filed ---, which is a
  divisional of Application No. B, filed ---, which
  is a continuation-in-part of Application No. A,
  filed ---.
• Example 3 This application is a
  continuation-in-part of Application No. C, filed
  ---, and also a continuation-in-part of
  Application No. D, filed ---.

7
Benefit Claims to International (PCT)
Applicationsunder 35 USC 120, 121, and 365(c)

• Specific reference to an international
  application (IA) requires
• Identification of the prior-filed IA by
• International application number and
  International filing date
• (not the 371(c) compliance date) and
• Specific relationship of the applications.
• Example 4 This application is a continuation
  of International Application No. PCT/US--/---,
  filed ---.
• This example is for a benefit claim to an IA in a
  bypass application.
• A bypass application is a 111(a) application
  claiming under 365(c) the benefit of an IA that
  did not enter the national stage under 371.

8
Benefit Claims to International (PCT)
Applicationsunder 35 USC 120, 121, and 365(c)

• Example 5 Specific reference to a National
  Stage ( 371) Application
• This application is a continuation of
  Application No. 10/---, which is the National
  Stage of International Application No.
  PCT/US--/---, filed ---.
• Note 371(c) compliance date should NOT be
  given.
• Example 6 Specific reference to an IA which
  claims the benefit of a prior U.S. Nonprovisional
  Application
• This application is a continuation of
  International Application No. PCT/US--/---, filed
  ---, which is a continuation of U.S. Application
  No. 10/---, filed ---.

9
Benefit Claims to Provisional Applications under
35 USC 119(e)

• Must include a specific reference to the
  prior-filed provisional application in the first
  sentence of the specification or an ADS.
• Specific reference requires
• Only the identification of the prior provisional
  application by the application number.
• No relationship between the subject
  nonprovisional application and the provisional
  application should be specified.
• Example 7 This application claims the benefit
  of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/---, filed
  ---.

10
Benefit Claims to Provisional via
IntermediateNonprovisional Application under 35
USC 120, 365(c) 119(e)

• If the subject application is not filed within 12
  months from the filing date of the provisional
  application, the specific reference must
  identify
• An intermediate nonprovisional application that
  is directly claiming the benefit of the
  provisional application and
• The relationship between the nonprovisional
  applications.
• Example 8 This application is a continuation of
  Application No. 10/---, filed ---, which claims
  the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
  60/---, filed ---.

11
Benefit Claims to Provisional via Intermediate IA
under 35 USC 120, 365(c) 119(e)

• Example 9 Specific reference to claim the
  benefit of a provisional application via an IA.
• This application is a continuation of
  International Application No. PCT/US--/---, filed
  ---, which claims the benefit of Provisional
  Application No. 60/---, filed ---.
• Example 10 Specific reference to claim the
  benefit of a provisional application via a
  National Stage ( 371) Application
• This application is a continuation of
  Application No. 10/---, which is the National
  Stage of International Application No.
  PCT/US--/---, filed ---, which claims the benefit
  of Provisional Application No. 60/---, filed ---.

12
Impact of Failure to MakeProper Benefit Claims

• Failure to timely submit the specific reference
  is considered a waiver of any benefit claim
  unless a petition under 37 CFR 1.78(a) and
  surcharge are filed.
• The Office may not be able to publish
  applications promptly after the expiration of a
  period of eighteen months from the earliest
  filing date for which a benefit is sought.
• The publication may not include accurate benefit
  claims to determine the prior art date under
• 35 USC 102(e).

13
Notification of the Failure to MakeProper
Benefit Claims

• The Office plans to notify applicants on, or
  with, the filing receipt that a benefit claim may
  not have been recognized because it did not
  include the proper specific reference.
• The filing receipt is usually provided shortly
  after the filing of the application so applicants
  should have sufficient opportunity to submit the
  proper benefit claim within the time period set
  in rule 1.78(a).
• Applicants should carefully and promptly review
  filing receipts in order to avoid the need to
  submit a petition under rule 1.78(a) and
  surcharge under rule 1.17(t).

14
Timely Correction of Benefit Claims

• Within the time period of 37 CFR 1.78(a),
  applicant may correct benefit claims by filing
• A request for corrected filing receipt, and
• The Required specific reference
• Via an amendment to the specification, or an
  application data sheet (ADS) (see slide 2) or
• If previously submitted, a copy of the amendment
  or ADS.
• The later of four months from the actual filing
  date or the date on which the national stage
  commenced, or sixteen months from the filing date
  of the prior-filed application.

15
Untimely Correction of Benefit Claims

• After the time period of rule 1.78(a) has
  expired, applicant may petition to correct
  benefit claims by filing
• A petition to accept an unintentionally delayed
  claim under rule 1.78(a) and the surcharge under
  rule 1.17(t), and
• The required specific reference (including the
  relationship of the nonprovisional applications
  and identification of any intermediate
  application which directly claims the benefit of
  the provisional application).
• Note any benefit claim under 35 USC 119(e)
  must be submitted during the pendency of the
  instant nonprovisional application.

16
Prior Applications Also Must Include Specific
Reference

• Each intermediate prior application must have
  specific reference to other prior applications.
• For example, this benefit claim, This
  application is a continuation of Application No.
  C, filed ---, which is a continuation of
  Application No. B, filed---, which claims the
  benefit of Provisional Application No. A, filed
  ---. will only be effective if
• Application No. C actually includes a proper
  benefit claim to Application No. B and
  Provisional Application No. A and
• Application No. B actually includes a proper
  benefit claim to Provisional Application No. A.

17
Adding an Incorporation-By-Reference

• After the filing of an application, adding an
  incorporation-by-reference statement in a benefit
  claim is not permitted.
• No new matter can be added to an application
  after its filing date.
• See 35 USC 132(a) and Dart Industries v.
  Banner, 636 F.2d 684, 207 USPQ (CADC 1980).
• The Office will not accept a specific reference
  that includes an incorporation-by-reference
  statement of a prior application, unless such
  statement was submitted on filing of the
  application.

18
Examples of Benefit Claims under 35 USC 120,
121, and 365(c)

• Ex. 1 Specific reference to a nonprovisional
  application.
• This application is a continuation of
  Application No. 10/---, filed---.
• Ex. 2 Specific reference to multiple
  nonprovisonal applications.
• This application is a continuation of
  Application No. C, filed ---, which is a
  divisional of Application No. B, filed ---, which
  is a continuation-in-part of Application No. A,
  filed ---.
• Ex. 3 Specific reference to multiple
  nonprovisional applications.
• This application is a continuation-in-part of
  Application No. C, filed ---, and also a
  continuation-in-part of Application No. D, filed
  ---.

19
Examples of Benefit Claims under 35 USC 120,
121, and 365(c)

• Ex. 4 Specific reference to an IA.
• This application is a continuation of
  International Application No. PCT/US--/---, filed
  ---.
• Ex. 5 Specific reference to a NS ( 371)
  application
• This application is a continuation of
  Application No. 10/---, which is the National
  Stage of International Application No.
  PCT/US--/---, filed ---.
• Note 371(c) compliance date should NOT be
  given.
• Ex. 6 Specific reference to an IA which claims
  the benefit of a prior U.S. Nonprovisional
  Application
• This application is a continuation of
  International Application No. PCT/US--/---, filed
  ---, which is a continuation of U.S. Application
  No. 10/---, filed ---.

20
Examples of Benefit Claims under 35 USC 120,
121, and 365(c)

• Ex. 7 Specific reference to claim the benefit of
  a provisional application when the subject
  application is filed within 12 months from the
  filing date of the provisional application.
• This application claims the benefit of U.S.
  Provisional Application No. 60/---, filed ---.
• Ex. 8 Specific reference to claim the benefit
  of a provisional application via a nonprovisional
  application.
• This application is a continuation of
  Application No. 10/---, filed ---, which claims
  the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
  60/---, filed ---.

21
Examples of Benefit Claims under 35 USC 120,
121, and 365(c)

• Ex. 9 Specific reference to claim the benefit
  of a provisional application via an IA.
• This application is a continuation of
  International Application No. PCT/US--/---, filed
  ---, which claims the benefit of Provisional
  Application No. 60/---, filed ---.
• Ex. 10 Specific reference to claim the benefit
  of a provisional application via a National Stage
  ( 371) Application
• This application is a continuation of
  Application No. 10/---, which is the National
  Stage of International Application No.
  PCT/US--/---, filed ---, which claims the benefit
  of Provisional Application No. 60/---, filed ---.

22
Rescission of non-publication requests
23
Eighteen-Month Publication -Exceptions

• An applicant may request that an application not
  be published if
• the applicant certifies that invention has not
  been and will not be the subject of an
  application filed in another country (or under
  international agreement) that requires
  eighteen-month publication
• The request must be made upon filing (required by
  statute)
• The request must be conspicuous
• See PTO form PTO/SB/35

24
Eighteen-Month Publication Publication after
Non-publication Request

• The nonpublication request may be rescinded at
  any time
• If an application is subsequently filed in
  another country (or under international
  agreement) that requires eighteen-month
  publication
• the applicant must notify the USPTO within
  forty-five days or the application will become
  abandoned
• application may be revived if the delay in
  providing notice was unintentional
• See
• Pre O.G. Notice Reminder that Rescission of a
  Nonpublication Request is Not Itself a Notice of
  Foreign Filing posted on the web at
  http//www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/dapp/opla/pr
  eognotice/rescission.html
• Form PTO/SB/36 (10-01)

25
Highlights of Recent Legislative Changes
Prepared 4-16-03
26
Highlights of Recent Legislative Changes

• H.R. 2215 (Technical Amendment Act of 2002)
  (Conference Report 107-685)
• Date of Enactment November 2, 2002
• 102(e) Changes Effective Nov. 29, 2000

27
Highlights of Recent Legislative Changes
(Continued)

• H.R. 2215 (Technical Amendment Act of 2002)
• Authorizes appropriation of an amount equal to
  the fees estimated to be collected by the USPTO
• Requires development of an electronic filing and
  processing system within 3 years
• Requires a 5-year strategic plan for the USPTO
• Permits reexamination on the basis of prior art
  that was previously cited by or to the USPTO or
  considered by the USPTO
• Permits third-party requesters in inter partes
  reexamination proceedings to appeal t the U.S.
  Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
• Makes technical changes to Title 35, U.S.C. to
  correct errors introduced by the American
  Inventors Protection Act of 1999 (AIPA)
  includes a correction to 102(e) and its
  effective date
• Eliminates attestation requirement for patent
  grant copies

28
Highlights of Recent Legislative Changes
(Continued)

• Regulatory Changes to implement H.R. 2215
• Permitting reexamination on the basis of prior
  art that was previously cited by or to, or
  considered by, the USPTO
• USPTO will publish new Reexamination (Portola)
  Guidelines in the Federal Register that supersede
  the Reexamination Guidelines published in March
  of 1999
• New guidelines will set out the conditions under
  which the USPTO will make a new determination in
  a pending reexamination to make a ground of
  rejection that may not have been permitted under
  the 1999 Reexamination Guidelines
• This change to the substantial new question of
  patentability applies to any determination made
  on/after the date of enactment

29
Highlights of Recent Legislative Changes
(Continued)

• Prior art references now available under
  102(e) 1. U.S. Patents (formerly could not use
  any IA filing date)
• Now If a U.S. patent issues from, or claims
  benefit of, an IA, the U.S. patents prior art
  date may now be the filing date of the IA if the
  following three conditions are met
• the IA was filed on or after 11/29/00
• the IA designated the US and
• the IA publication (by WIPO) was in English.
• Note when the three conditions are met,
  the IA filing date is a U.S. filing date for
  102(e) purposes.
• 2. U.S. Application Publications (did not
  exist before 11/29/00)
• Now A U.S. application publication is prior art
  as of the applications U.S. effective filing
  date, which can include an IA filing date, if the
  same three conditions are met.

30
Highlights of Recent Legislative Changes
(Continued)

• Prior art references now available under 102(e)
  (contd)

• 3. WIPO Publications of IAs (formerly A WIPO
  publication was not prior art under 102(e))
• Now A WIPO publication of an IA is 102(e)
  prior art as of the IAs filing date, if the same
  three conditions are met namely
• the IA was filed on or after 11/29/00,
• the IA designated the US,
• the IA publication (by WIPO) was in English.

31
Highlights of Recent Legislative Changes
(Continued)

• Summary Changes to 102(e)
• 35 U.S.C. 102(e) applies, as amended, to all
  applications under examination and patents under
  reexamination, whenever filed.
• Proper domestic priority claims to provisional
  applications under 35 U.S.C. 119(e), benefit
  claims to nonprovisional applications under 35
  U.S.C. 120 or benefit claims to international
  applications under 35 U.S.C. 365(c) are
  considered in determining the effective U.S.
  filing date under 35 U.S.C. 102(e), but the
  relied upon application and any intermediate
  application must support the subject matter used
  in a rejection.
• An international filing date prior to 11/29/00
  cannot be used as a prior art date a patent
  issuing from the National Stage of an IA filed
  before 11/29/00 will continue to be applied as of
  the 35 U.S.C. 371(c)(1), (2) and (4) date.

32
Highlights of Recent Legislative Changes
(Continued)

• Summary Changes to 102(e) (contd)
• A reference based on a foreign priority filing
  date claimed under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d) or
  365(a), in U.S. or WIPO application publications
  or U.S. patents is never applied as the prior art
  date under 35 U.S.C. 102(e).
• A reference based on the filing date of an
  International application (IA) when the IA did
  not designate the U.S. or was published in a
  language other than English is never applied. A
  published IA may be used as the reference, but
  under 35 U.S.C. 102(a) or (b) as of the
  publication date of the IA.

33
Electronic Processing Changes
34
Image Processing Prototype

• USPTO Announces Prototype of Image Processing
  (signed 11/19/02) 1265 OG 87 (12/17/02).
• In December 2002, The USPTO commenced a prototype
  of electronic image processing of patent
  applications. Three art units in Technology
  Centers 1600 and 2800 will participate in this
  prototype, as well as sections of the Office of
  Initial Patent Examination (OIPE) and other
  related processing divisions. This prototype
  program will test the use of image technology to
  replace the standard paper processing of patent
  applications currently used in the USPTO. All
  processing and examination will be performed with
  the image files, instead of the paper source
  documents, by the examiners, technical support
  staff and all other USPTO professional staff
  during the prototype.

35
Revised Amendment Format

• Special Amendment Practice (limited to claims)
  begun in Prototype Electronic Image File Wrapper
  Program in Art Units 1634, 2827 2834.
• See USPTO Announces Prototype of Image
  Processing, 1265 OG 87 (12/17/02).
• The special amendment practice has been readily
  accepted by prototype participants, is beneficial
  to examiners, and will improve patent printing
  process.
• Effective immediately, a voluntary revised
  amendment format which applies to specification
  and drawings in addition to claims may be used in
  the prototype cases, and in all applications,
  except reissue and reexamination.

36
Revised Amendment Format (Continued)

• Implementation Plan
• OG Notice announces a Revised Amendment Format
  and provides waiver of 37 CFR 1.121(a)-(d).
• 1267 OG 106 (February 25, 2003) and posted at
  http//www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/og/2003/w
  eek08/patform.htm
• Mailing of flyer describing the revised practice
  with every Office action.
• Sample Revised Amendment Format and flyer are
  posted on website at http//www.uspto.gov/web/offi
  ces/pac/dapp/opla/preognotice/moreinfoamdtprac.htm

37
Revised Amendment Format (Continued)

• Implementation Plan (cont.)
• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposed changes
  to 37 CFR 1.121 to implement electronic
  maintenance of official patent application
  records
• Changes To Implement Electronic Maintenance of
  Official Patent Application Records, 68 Fed.
  Reg.14365 (March 25, 2003).
• Final Rule a revised amendment format will
  become mandatory by a final rule making notice
  expected publication by June 2003.
• Training of tech support staff commenced March
  2003.

38
Revised Amendment Format (Continued)

• Highlights
• Each section of amendment paper must start on a
  separate sheet.
• For example, each of the following must start on
  a separate sheet Introductory comments,
  Amendments to the Specification, Amendments to
  the Claims, and Remarks.
• Submit only one version of the replacement
  portion which includes strikethrough or
  underlining showing the changes relative to
  immediate prior version.
• The requirement to provide a clean version and a
  marked up version is waived if revised amendment
  format is used (1.121(b) and (c) are waived and
  proposed to be eliminated).

39
Revised Claim Amendment Format

• Highlights
• Amendment to claims must include a complete
  listing of all claims shown in ascending order.
• The listing of claims (in the current amendment)
  will replace all prior versions, and listings, of
  claims in the application.
• The requirement of a clean version is waived and
  a clean version should not be submitted.

40
Revised Claim Amendment Format (Continued)

• The listing of claims must comply with the
  following
• A status identifier for each claim is required.
  Multiple status identifiers must not be used for
  any single claim.
• The text of all claims being currently amended
  must be presented with markings to show changes
  (strikethrough for deleted matter and underlining
  for added matter) relative to immediate prior
  version.
• Only claims of the status currently amended
  will include markings.
• All other claims under examination must be
  presented in clean text (without marking).
• Any claim text presented in clean form (no
  markings) constitutes an assertion that it has
  not been changed relative to the immediate prior
  version.

41
Revised Claim Amendment Format (Continued)

• Listing (cont.)
• Canceled and withdrawn claims should only have
  canceled or withdrawn status identifier
  following the claim number, as text should not be
  supplied.
• New Claims must be presented with a new status
  identifier.
• Do not underline the text of the new claims.
• Grouping of Claims consecutive canceled or
  withdrawn claims may be aggregated into one line
  (e.g., claims 1-5 (canceled).).

42
Revised Claim Amendment Format (Continued)

• Example of a Listing of Claims
• Claims 1-5 (canceled)
• Claim 6 (withdrawn)
• Claim 7 (previously amended) A bucket with a
  handle.
• Claim 8 (currently amended) A bucket with a
  blue green handle.
• Claim 9 (original) The bucket of claim 8 with a
  wooden handle.
• Claim 10 (new) A bucket with plastic sides and
  bottom.

43
Revised Claim Amendment Format (Continued)

• Use only the following status identifiers in
  parentheses after claim number
• (Original) Claim filed with the original
  specification (not added by preliminary
  amendment).
• (Currently amended) Claim being amended in the
  current amendment. Only currently amended claims
  should include markings (strikethrough and
  underlining) to indicate changes.
• (Previously amended) Claim not being currently
  amended, but which was amended in a previous
  amendment paper. The claim should be presented
  in clean text.
• (Canceled) Claim canceled or deleted. Do not
  present the text of the canceled claim.
  Consecutive canceled claims may be grouped
  together (e.g., claims 1-5 (canceled)).
• (Withdrawn) Claim still in the application, but
  in a non-elected status. Do not present the text
  of the withdrawn claim. Consecutive withdrawn
  claims may be grouped together (e.g., claims 6-10
  (withdrawn)).

44
Revised Claim Amendment Format (Continued)

• Permissible status identifiers (cont.)
• (Previously added) Claim added in an earlier
  amendment paper.
• (New) Claim being added in the current
  amendment paper.
• (Reinstated-formerly claim __) Claim deleted
  in an earlier amendment paper, but re-presented
  verbatim with a new claim number in current
  amendment.
• (Previously reinstated) Claim deleted in an
  earlier amendment and reinstated in an earlier
  amendment paper.
• (Re-presented formerly dependent claim __)
  Dependent claim re-presented in independent form
  in current amendment paper. No additional (or
  new) subject matter may appear in these claims.
• (Previously represented) Dependent claim
  re-presented in independent form in an earlier
  amendment, but not currently amended.

45
Revised Specification Amendment Format

• Amendments to the Specification
• Submit only one marked up version of any
  replacement paragraphs or sections marked with
  strikethrough (for deleted matter) or underlining
  (for added matter).
• The requirement of a clean version is waived and
  a clean version should not be submitted.
• An amendment to the specification, once made,
  should not be presented in subsequent amendment
  papers.
• For substitute specification, no change from the
  current practice in 1.125. The following are
  required
• a clean version, and
• a marked-up version showing the changes for
  examiner use.

46
Revised Drawing Amendment Format

• Amendments to Drawings
• Submit only replacement figure(s) which include
  the changes, without markings, on a separate
  sheet(s) as an attachment to the amendment paper.
• Proposed drawing correction process is
  eliminated.
• Applicants need not submit any proposed drawing
  changes marked in red (but may include markings
  if desirable).
• Examiner may require drawing changes to be shown
  by marking
• The changes must be explained in the remarks or
  drawing amendment section of the amendment paper.
• Any replacement drawing sheet(s) including
  amended figure(s) should include all of the
  figures appearing on the immediate prior version
  of the sheet.

47
Revised Drawing Amendment Format (Continued)

• Amendments to Drawings (continued)
• Header on replacement drawing sheet should
  include Replacement Sheet, application number,
  and date information.
• The replacement drawing figure should not be
  labeled as amended.
• Replacement drawing sheet with changes, accepted
  by examiner, unless notified by examiner. No
  further drawing submission is required.
• If not acceptable, applicants will be notified of
  any objections or additional requirements.

48
Revised Drawing Amendment Format (Continued)

• Amendments to Drawings (continued)
• Deletion of a figure requires the following
• Instructions to delete the figure
• Replacement sheet(s) which does not include the
  canceled figure, unless no other figure is on the
  same sheet as the canceled figure
• Amendment to the specification to make
  corresponding changes to the description of the
  drawings (e.g., deletion of the description of
  the canceled figure) and
• If other figures need to be renumbered, those
  figures also need to be amended with revised
  figure numbers via replacement drawing sheets.

49
Electronic Processing Changes
Changes To Implement Electronic Maintenance of
Official Patent Application Records 68 Fed. Reg.
14365 ( March 25, 2003)

• Proposed rule change will allow the Office to
  promote sharing of electronic priority documents
  and access to examination files to counterpart
  offices
• International agreement required.
• Written consent of applicant required before
  access granted (or priority document provided)
  prior to publication.
• Proposed rule change will permit Office to
  provide electronic access to Office electronic
  file records when the official record is
  electronic
• Efforts to declare image file records as the
  Official file records are ongoing.

50
For Further Information

• Office of Patent Legal Administration (703)
  308-6906 or e-mail to Patent Practice_at_USPTO.gov
  
• Amendment Practice Elizabeth Dougherty 306-3156
  or Joe Narcavage 305-1795
• Patent Term Adjustment (PTA)- Kery Fries 308-0687
• Eighteen-Month Publication Mark Polutta
  308-8122
• Provisional Applications- Fred Silverberg
  305-8986
• Reexamination- Jerry Dost 305-8610 or Ken Schor
  308-6710
• Reissue- Joe Narcavage 305-1795
• RCEs CPAs- Gena Jones 306-5586 or Joni Chang
  308-3858
• Sections 102(e), 102(g) and/or 103(c) - Robert
  Clarke 305-9177, Mark Polutta 308-8122 or Jeanne
  Clark 306-5603
• Electronic Filing, CDs Michael Lewis 305-5585
  or Jay Lucas 308-6868

51
Check the USPTO web site for important
announcements
Patents Information
52
Check the USPTO web site for important
announcements
http//www.uspto.gov/main/newsandnotices.htm
53
Check the USPTO web site for important
announcements
http//www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/dapp/ogsheet.
html
53
54
Thank You