PPC Patent Law Fundamentals & USPTO Procedures 2

Question 1

What is the purpose of a Request for Continued Examination (RCE) filed with the USPTO?

Accepted Answer

To continue prosecution after a final rejection without filing a new application

Answer

An RCE allows an applicant to continue prosecution of an application after a final rejection by paying a fee and submitting a submission (e.g., an amendment or remarks).

Question 2

Under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b)(1)(A), a disclosure made by the inventor does NOT bar patentability if it occurred within how many years before the effective filing date?

Accepted Answer

1 year

Answer

The AIA created a one-year grace period under § 102(b)(1)(A) for disclosures made by the inventor before the effective filing date.

Question 3

Which type of patent claim most broadly protects a method of performing a sequence of steps?

Accepted Answer

Method claim

Answer

Method (process) claims protect a series of steps performed to achieve a result, rather than a physical device or composition.

Question 4

What document establishes a filing date for a provisional patent application in the USPTO?

Accepted Answer

Filing receipt acknowledging the provisional application

Answer

The USPTO issues a filing receipt confirming the provisional application's receipt and establishing its filing date.

Question 5

Which section of Title 35 U.S.C. governs the requirement that an invention be non-obvious?

Accepted Answer

§ 103

Answer

35 U.S.C. § 103 establishes the non-obviousness requirement, evaluated against the knowledge of a person having ordinary skill in the art.

(PPC) Patent Paralegal Certification Practice Test

(PPC) Patent Paralegal Certification Practice Test

PPC Patent Law Fundamentals & USPTO Procedures 2