Contents

Functions of the Patent and Trademark Office[5]
Purpose of this booklet[6]
What is a patent?[7]
Patent laws[9]
What can be patented[10]
Novelty and other conditions for obtaining a patent[12]
The United States Patent and Trademark Office[13]
Publications of the Patent and Trademark Office[15]
General information and correspondence[19]
Library, search room services and Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries[21]
Attorneys and agents[28]
Disclosure Document[31]
Who may apply for a patent[33]
Application for patent[34]
Oath or declaration, signature[37]
Filing Fees[38]
Specification (description and claims)[40]
Drawing[43]
Models, exhibits, specimens[54]
Examination of applications and proceedings in the Patent and Trademark Office[55]
Amendments to application[58]
Time for response and abandonment[61]
Appeal to the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences and to the courts[62]
Interferences[63]
Allowance and issue of patent[65]
Nature of patent and patent rights[66]
Maintenance Fees[68]
Correction of patents[69]
Assignments and licenses[70]
Infringement of patents[73]
Patent marking and “patent pending”[74]
Design patents[75]
Plant patents[76]
Treaties and foreign patents[79]
Foreign applicants for United States patents[82]
Answers to questions frequently asked[84]