Patent Terms Glossary

NPL

Definition:
Non Patent Literature -- documents and publications that are not patents or published patent applications but are cited as references for being relevant in a patent prosecution.

Notice of Abandonment

Definition:
A written notification from the USPTO that an application has been declared abandoned or, in other words, is no longer pending. If the application was abandoned unintentionally or due to Office error.

Information Disclosure Statement (IDS)

Definition:
A list of all patents, publications, U.S. applications, or other information submitted for consideration by the Office in a non-provisional patent application filed under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a) to comply with applicant's duty.

Contracting Party

Definition:
A country or intergovernmental organization that is a member of the Madrid Protocol.

Deposit Account

Definition:
An account that is established in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), upon payment of a fee for establishing such an account, for the convenience in paying any fees due.

Workflow Incoming Amendment IFW

Definition:
From Public PAIR/IFW - designates the point in time when an amendment is received in the Office and the paper scanning process may be started at the USPTO; does not indicate whether scanning has actually started.

Bookmark:           
Permalink:  http://S-0.ORG/tLgtZ5L

Contact our Patent Professionals to ensure you complete the patent filing process correctly or for violation of your patent rights.