FAQs Patent Questions

Question:Utility patents issued on and after 12/12/1980 are subject to the payment of maintenance fees

Answer:
All utility patents that issue from applications filed on and after December 12, 1980 are subject to the payment of maintenance fees which must be paid to maintain the patent in force. These fees are due at 3 1/2, 7 1/2 and 11 1/2 years from the date the patent is granted.

Question:Patent applicants must clearly point out why he/she thinks the amended claims are patentable

Answer:
In amending an application in reply to a rejection, the applicant must clearly point out why he/she thinks the amended claims are patentable in view of the state of the art disclosed by the prior references cited or the objections made. He/she must also show how the claims as amended avoid such references or objections.

Question:If two or more persons make an invention jointly, they apply for a patent as joint inventors

Answer:
If two or more persons make an invention jointly, they apply for a patent as joint inventors. A person who makes only a financial contribution is not a joint inventor and cannot be joined in the application as an inventor.

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