IRAC
American law schools generally teach students to organize their paragraphs according to IRAC: issue, rule, analysis, conclusion. (This structure is sometimes modified to CIRAC, in… Read More »IRAC
Brian Epstein
Checking 37 CFR 1.97(e)(1) Certifications
Now that we covered how to make the Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) certification under 37 CFR 1.97(e), we can discuss how to check a certification. … Read More »Checking 37 CFR 1.97(e)(1) Certifications
Foreign IDS Certification
Information Disclosure Statements (IDSes) filed under 37 CFR 1.97 (c) or (d) can include a certification statement. One of these statements is “that each item… Read More »Foreign IDS Certification
The “Pen Cup” Game
Earlier this week, I discussed a claim interpretation tactic of drawing a box around a group of devices to characterize the group as a single… Read More »The “Pen Cup” Game
Device in a Box
Some patent applications discuss networks including a single server and a single client. As a result, when claiming one device (for example, Client A), the… Read More »Device in a Box
The Untouchables
Applicants have limited ability to obtain review of the actions of Primary Examiners. The classic option is to file an Appeal. Applicants often overlook the… Read More »The Untouchables
Foreign OAs in IDSes
To the best of my knowledge, the duty to disclose information to the USPTO in the form of Information Disclosure Statements (IDSes) is unique in… Read More »Foreign OAs in IDSes
Appeal Considerations
Generally speaking, Applicants do not appeal rejections as much as I would hope. With the assistance of Yamauchi Shin-san of Yamauchi Patent Attorneys (https://www.yamauchi-pat.com), I… Read More »Appeal Considerations
Single-Reference Obviousness Rejections
We previously discussed “broadest reasonable interpretation” claim construction as featured in, but distinct from, obviousness rejections. Let’s consider one uncommon situation that clarifies this distinction.… Read More »Single-Reference Obviousness Rejections