PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATIONS · Drawings Names Of Inventors Must be identified as a Provisional...
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PROVISIONAL
PATENT
APPLICATIONS
Louis T. IsafWomble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice [email protected]
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© 2016 WCSR
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PURPOSE
Of Filing Your Provisional
• Meet Capstone Requirement!
• Patent rights are lost by
– Publication / Public Disclosure (e.g., Capstone)
– Offer for Sale• Exception - U.S. Rights - 1 year Grace Period for OWN
activity
• Preserve Rights In Foreign Markets
– Business is International, not just National
– Most Foreign Countries have Absolute NoveltyRequirement
• NO assurance of available rights.2
Why?
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PROVISIONALCAUTIONS/CONSIDERATIONS
BEWARE
NO PRIORITY for subject matter not fully disclosed andenabled in the Provisional. NOT PROTECT yourimprovements.
Risk of COMPLACENCY… Thinking “We Have Filed aPatent Application So All Is Well … So Relax” … butthe Disclosure Is Not Adequate to Support DesiredClaims … or avoid activity bars
Automatically GOES ABANDONED By Law After 1Year From Filing … so, MUST file non-provisionalbefore 1 Year ends. [TRACK this 1 year]
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But!
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UTILITY PATENT BASICS –Subject Matter Eligibility (Section §101)
– Invention must be directed to at least one ofthe following {statutory}:
• Process (engine cycle; aluminum heat treatment;making fibers; detecting a golf ball)
• Machine (box folding machine; Coin processingmachine)
• Article of Manufacture (fastener; toilet; guage)
• Composition of matter (chemical composition)
• Except: {Judicial Exceptions}
– NO laws of nature
– NO natural phenomena
– NO abstract ideas …4
What?
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Patent Basics – Requirements forPatentability
• To be Patentable, an Invention must be:
1. New / NOVEL
2. Useful – has to have some utility
3. NON-OBVIOUS – Would a person ofordinary skill, knowing the prior state of theart, think the invention obvious?
• [BUT, not our focus today … we need to FILE!]
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What?
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PROVISIONAL APPLICATION
CONTENT
• Here is what is required:
Specification (formalities not important)
Drawings
Names Of Inventors
Must be identified as a ProvisionalApplication
Correspondence address6
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PROVISIONAL APPLICATION
SPECIFICATION
• Possible Sections:» • background description
» • explicit definitions
» • general description (Summary)
» • preferred embodiments (Detailed text & drawings)
» • working examples (perhaps)
» • prophetic examples (perhaps)
» • addendum (perhaps)
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WRITTEN DESCRIPTION
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Sample 1Provisional
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WRITTEN DESCRIPTION
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Sample 1Provisional
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DRAWINGS
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Provisional
Non-Provisional
Sample 1
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DRAWINGS
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ProvisionalNon-Provisional
Sample 1
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WRITTEN DESCRIPTION
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Sample 2Provisional
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WRITTEN DESCRIPTION
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Sample 2Provisional
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Your PROVISIONAL APPLICATION
SPECIFICATION
• Written description of the invention, and ofthe manner and process of making and usingit,
• in full, clear, concise, and exact terms
• to enable any person skilled in the art towhich it pertains to make and use the same,and
• shall set forth the best mode contemplatedby the inventor or joint inventor of carryingout the invention. 14
Think!
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Written DisclosureExample Approach
• What is the Problem or need to be satisfied bythe invention.
• What is the proposed solution to the problem,and why is it better than prior solutions?
• What is the likely commercial embodiment ofthe invention?
• Are there other ways to practice the invention?
• Test data • Details • Ranges • Examples
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Think!
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureExplaining the problem(s)
• Write it out … What is (are) theProblem(s) to be solved by yourinvention?
• NOT always same as the projectproblem
• “At least some of the problemsexperienced in the prior
devices/process … “ 16
Do it!
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureExplaining Your Solution
• WRITE down the Kernel/Coreaspect of your solution… What is themain feature that distinguishes yoursolution from all known “prior art”?
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Do it!
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureExplaining Your Solution
• WRITE down another distinguishingfeature
• WRITE down a third distinguishingfeature
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Do it!
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureExplaining your Solution (continued)
• Draft prose broadly expressing yoursolution … focusing on the stateddistinctions …
• Stay high level … not the full workingembodiment …
• Consider invention broader than youcreated it? Think expansively whendrafting …
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Do it!
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureDetailing Embodiments
• Now, Shift Gears … Describe yourprimary embodiment
• The detailed facts!!
• What is your likely commercialembodiment?
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Do it!
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureDetailing Embodiments
Some terminology:
Invention => Disclosure
Preferred embodiment => First Exemplary embodiment
In some embodiments of the disclosure …
In accordance with an alternate embodiment …
According to one aspect …
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Do it!
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureDetailing Embodiments
Enable – skilled person can practice
Written Description –
Full Scope;
Sufficient;
Possession of the invention
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Do it!
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureDetailing Embodiments
Write STRUCTURE
• components, links, combinations,interactions
• drawings
• number all groups, pieces, links
be consistent
numbering charts23
Do it!
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureDetailing Embodiments
Write METHOD of ASSEMBLY
Write METHOD OF OPERATION
Write METHOD OF USE
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Do it!
[Slide 32]
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureDetailing Embodiments
Software
Think “Structure” … [meet enablement]
Specially Programmed Computer
Think something more than aprogrammed computer (added structureor function not previously known orperformed by human) [avoid ABSTRACT]
[this is MUCH more complex]25
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureDetailing Embodiments
SoftwareRegarding “Structure” …
• Software is not “structure”
• Structure is the computer programmedby a special algorithm
• Spec MUST disclose the algarithm
[FLOW CHART]26
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureDetailing Embodiments
Software
“Something more” than idea
Something the human mind didn’t dobefore
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureDetailing Embodiments
Software
• An "Algorithm" is a finite sequenceof steps for solving a logical ormathematical problem or performinga task."
– "Applicant may express the algorithmin any understandable terms includinga mathematical formula, in prose, in aflowchart, or in any other manner thatprovide sufficient structure." 28
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureDetailing Embodiments
Software
A set of instructions:
• Is not machine or article of manufactureor composition of matter, and does notpurport to be a process. Does not fitwithin any of the statutory categories ofsection 101,
• Is Intangible, and except for processes,“eligible subject matter must exist in somephysical or tangible form.” 29
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureDetailing Embodiments
Software
• NOT GOOD• Method of providing a secure online sales transaction is
not patent-eligible because it is just a computerized way ofcreating a contractual relationship.
"This is simply a generic recitation of a computer and acomputer network performing their basic functions.” "Theclaim amounts to no more than stating create a contract ona computer and send it over a network."
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureDetailing Embodiments
Software• GOOD• Method of displaying multiple merchant websites within a single
page, allowing Web users to visit several stores without leavingthe page, was shown as patent-eligible. … Held: the patent didmore than apply an existing business practice on a computer.
"The claim does not recite a mathematical algorithm; nor does itrecite a fundamental economic or longstanding commercialpractice," the office said. "The claim addresses a businesschallenge (retaining website visitors) that is particular to theInternet."
Software inventions likely need to have a component thatimproves the functioning of a computer, rather than simply usinga computer to make an existing process run more efficiently 31
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureDetailing Embodiments
Write the Specific Embodiment AGAIN,but broaden the language
Write as a second embodiment, keepingthe narrower, first embodiment
e.g., “fastener, example of which is a screwor a nail or adhesive”
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Do it!
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureDetailing Embodiments
Write any Alternate Embodiments …
How might you or someone else do thisdifferently and still take advantage ofyour “inventive thoughts” (your“distinguishing features”)?
“Third alternate embodiment”
“Forth alternate embodiment”33
Do it!
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EXERCISE
Written DisclosureDetailing Embodiments
• Perhaps insert your CapstonePresentation and your Capstone“speech” as an addendum.
• That’s what would otherwise be barredby the Capstone Event
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Do it!
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HOW TO FILE
• Electronic Filing System (EFS) …Non-Registered … (see next slide)
• Or via US Postal Service Express Mail … MUST
use express mail certificate. (Not Preferred)
• Always keep a copy of filing
• Pay fee … $130 Small / $65 Micro(Are you a Micro Entity) … if yes, file affidavit …
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File it!
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HOW TO FILEUSING PTO EFS
• Go to www.USPTO.gov => EFS-Web(expect "Java not enabled")
• Select “Patents” from upper left menu=> efile (unregistered)
• Proceed with forms and uploading, etc.
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File it!
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HOW TO FILEUSING PTO EFS
• EFS TIPS:
– No spaces in filename
– Upload as PDF file, all fonts embedded
– Review ONLINE the package, page-by-page, after upload
– Micro entity needs a certification (PTOFORM PTO/SB/15A)
– Print and keep the filing receipt, and acopy of what you filed 37
File it!
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HOW TO FILEHELP
GLA (Georgia Lawyers for the Arts)pro bono patents program:
http://glarts.org/patents/
• 2 weeks may not be enough
• Must qualify financially
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Help!
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END
GOOD LUCK AT
CAPSTONE
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© 2016 WCSR