Manual of Patent Examining Procedure, Ninth Edition, Revision of January 2018, 4473 [2018-01866]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 21 / Wednesday, January 31, 2018 / Notices to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. For further information please contact: Vidya Desai, Senior Advisor for Trade Events, Trade Promotion Programs (IBP2019@trade.gov). Frank Spector, Trade Promotion Programs. [FR Doc. 2018–01869 Filed 1–30–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Patent and Trademark Office [Docket No.: PTO–P–2017–0051] Manual of Patent Examining Procedure, Ninth Edition, Revision of January 2018 United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (‘‘USPTO’’) issued a revision of the ninth edition of the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (‘‘MPEP’’) in January 2018 to provide updated information on patent examination policy and procedure (‘‘January 2018 revision’’). The MPEP is published to provide patent examiners and the public with a reference work on the practices and procedures relative to the prosecution of patent applications before the USPTO. The MPEP contains instructions to examiners, as well as other material in the nature of information and interpretation, and outlines the current procedures which the examiners are required or authorized to follow in appropriate cases in the normal examination of a patent application. ADDRESSES: The USPTO prefers that suggestions for improving the form and content of the MPEP be submitted via email to mpepfeedback@uspto.gov or via the IdeaScale® tool available at: https://uspto-mpep.ideascale.com/a/ index. Written comments may also be submitted by mail addressed to: Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313–1450, marked to the attention of Editor, Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. The USPTO prefers that any comments or suggestions specifically directed to subject matter eligibility be directed to: 2014_interim_guidance@uspto.gov. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:36 Jan 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert A. Clarke, Editor of the MPEP by telephone (571–272–7735) or by email (Robert.Clarke@uspto.gov) or Linda Therkorn, Patent Examination Policy Advisor by telephone (571–272–7837) or by email (Linda.Therkorn@ uspto.gov). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USPTO issued a revision to the ninth edition of the MPEP in January 2018, which provides USPTO patent examiners, applicants, attorneys, agents, representatives of applicants, and other members of the public with a reference work on the practices and procedures relative to the prosecution of patent applications before the USPTO. The MPEP contains instructions to examiners, as well as other material in the nature of information and interpretation, and outlines the current procedures which the examiners are required or authorized to follow in appropriate cases in the normal examination of a patent application. Although the MPEP does not have the force of law or the force of the rules in Title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations, it ‘‘is well known to those registered to practice in the PTO and reflects the presumptions under which the PTO operates.’’ Critikon, Inc. v. Becton Dickinson Vascular Access, Inc., 120 F.3d 1253, 1257 (Fed. Cir. 1997). In the January 2018 revision, sections of chapters 200, 700–1000, 1200, 1400, 1500, 1800, 2000–2300, 2500, and 2700 have been updated. The updated sections have a revision indicator of [R– 08.2017], meaning these sections have been updated to reflect USPTO patent practice and relevant case law as of August 31, 2017. In addition, Chapter FPC (the Form Paragraph Book), the Table of Contents, Foreword, Introduction, Subject Matter Index, and all Appendices except Appendix I and Appendix P have been updated. The changes in the January 2018 revision are discussed in the Change Summary for the Ninth Edition, Revision 08.2017. The policies stated in the January 2018 revision supersede any policies stated in prior editions, including revisions, of the MPEP to the extent that there is any conflict. The January 2018 revision of the ninth edition of the MPEP may be viewed or downloaded free of charge from the USPTO website at https:// www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/ and is available to search online at https://mpep.uspto.gov. Archived copies of each of the prior revisions and editions of the MPEP continue to be available for reference. Links to the archived copies are available on the PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4473 USPTO website at https:// www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/ old/index.htm. Dated: January 25, 2018. Joseph Matal, Associate Solicitor, performing the functions and duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. [FR Doc. 2018–01866 Filed 1–30–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–16–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [FE Docket No. 17–167–LNG] Galveston Bay LNG, LLC; Application for Long-Term, Multi-Contract Authorization To Export Liquefied Natural Gas to Non-Free Trade Agreement Nations Office of Fossil Energy, DOE. Notice of application. AGENCY: ACTION: The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of receipt of an application (Application), filed on December 22, 2017, by Galveston Bay LNG, LLC (Galveston Bay LNG), requesting longterm, multi-contract authorization to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) in a volume equivalent to 785.7 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per year of natural gas. Galveston Bay LNG seeks authorization to export this LNG from its proposed natural gas liquefaction facility to be located in Texas City, Texas (Galveston Bay LNG Project). Galveston Bay LNG seeks authorization to export this LNG to countries with which trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy, including both countries with which the United States has entered into a free trade agreement (FTA) requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas (FTA countries) and all other countries (non-FTA countries). Galveston Bay LNG requests the nonFTA authorization for a term of 20 years, to begin on the date of first export following the commencement of operations or seven years from the date of a final order granting export authorization, whichever is first. In addition, Galveston Bay LNG is requesting that it be afforded a threeyear make-up period for the purpose of exporting any volume it is unable to export during the original export period, consistent with DOE/FE precedent. Galveston Bay LNG further requests this authorization on its own behalf and as agent for other entities who hold title to SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\31JAN1.SGM 31JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 21 (Wednesday, January 31, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 4473]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01866]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Patent and Trademark Office

[Docket No.: PTO-P-2017-0051]


Manual of Patent Examining Procedure, Ninth Edition, Revision of 
January 2018

AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'') 
issued a revision of the ninth edition of the Manual of Patent 
Examining Procedure (``MPEP'') in January 2018 to provide updated 
information on patent examination policy and procedure (``January 2018 
revision''). The MPEP is published to provide patent examiners and the 
public with a reference work on the practices and procedures relative 
to the prosecution of patent applications before the USPTO. The MPEP 
contains instructions to examiners, as well as other material in the 
nature of information and interpretation, and outlines the current 
procedures which the examiners are required or authorized to follow in 
appropriate cases in the normal examination of a patent application.

ADDRESSES: The USPTO prefers that suggestions for improving the form 
and content of the MPEP be submitted via email to 
[email protected] or via the IdeaScale[supreg] tool available at: 
https://uspto-mpep.ideascale.com/a/index. Written comments may also be 
submitted by mail addressed to: Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 
1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450, marked to the attention of Editor, 
Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. The USPTO prefers that any 
comments or suggestions specifically directed to subject matter 
eligibility be directed to: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert A. Clarke, Editor of the MPEP 
by telephone (571-272-7735) or by email ([email protected]) or 
Linda Therkorn, Patent Examination Policy Advisor by telephone (571-
272-7837) or by email ([email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USPTO issued a revision to the ninth 
edition of the MPEP in January 2018, which provides USPTO patent 
examiners, applicants, attorneys, agents, representatives of 
applicants, and other members of the public with a reference work on 
the practices and procedures relative to the prosecution of patent 
applications before the USPTO. The MPEP contains instructions to 
examiners, as well as other material in the nature of information and 
interpretation, and outlines the current procedures which the examiners 
are required or authorized to follow in appropriate cases in the normal 
examination of a patent application. Although the MPEP does not have 
the force of law or the force of the rules in Title 37 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations, it ``is well known to those registered to practice 
in the PTO and reflects the presumptions under which the PTO 
operates.'' Critikon, Inc. v. Becton Dickinson Vascular Access, Inc., 
120 F.3d 1253, 1257 (Fed. Cir. 1997).
    In the January 2018 revision, sections of chapters 200, 700-1000, 
1200, 1400, 1500, 1800, 2000-2300, 2500, and 2700 have been updated. 
The updated sections have a revision indicator of [R-08.2017], meaning 
these sections have been updated to reflect USPTO patent practice and 
relevant case law as of August 31, 2017. In addition, Chapter FPC (the 
Form Paragraph Book), the Table of Contents, Foreword, Introduction, 
Subject Matter Index, and all Appendices except Appendix I and Appendix 
P have been updated. The changes in the January 2018 revision are 
discussed in the Change Summary for the Ninth Edition, Revision 
08.2017. The policies stated in the January 2018 revision supersede any 
policies stated in prior editions, including revisions, of the MPEP to 
the extent that there is any conflict.
    The January 2018 revision of the ninth edition of the MPEP may be 
viewed or downloaded free of charge from the USPTO website at https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/ and is available to search online 
at https://mpep.uspto.gov. Archived copies of each of the prior 
revisions and editions of the MPEP continue to be available for 
reference. Links to the archived copies are available on the USPTO 
website at https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/old/index.htm.

    Dated: January 25, 2018.
Joseph Matal,
Associate Solicitor, performing the functions and duties of the Under 
Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the 
United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2018-01866 Filed 1-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-16-P


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