Form PTO / SB / 42 37 Cfr 1.501 Information Disclosure Citation in a Patent

What Is Form PTO/SB/42?

This is a legal form that was released by the U.S. Department of Commerce - Patent and Trademark Office on July 1, 2009 and used country-wide. As of today, no separate filing guidelines for the form are provided by the issuing department.

FAQ

Q: What is Form PTO/SB/42?
A: Form PTO/SB/42 is an official form used for submitting an Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) in a patent application.

Q: What is 37 Cfr 1.501?
A: 37 Cfr 1.501 refers to the section in Title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations that provides rules and guidelines for submitting an Information Disclosure Statement in a patent application.

Q: What is an Information Disclosure Citation?
A: An Information Disclosure Citation is a document or reference that a patent applicant must submit to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to disclose any prior art that may be relevant to the patentability of their invention.

Q: What is the purpose of submitting an Information Disclosure Citation?
A: The purpose of submitting an Information Disclosure Citation is to fulfill the duty of candor and disclose any prior art that may affect the patentability of an invention.

Q: Why is submitting an Information Disclosure Citation important?
A: Submitting an Information Disclosure Citation is important to comply with the legal obligations of patent applicants and to ensure that the USPTO has all the relevant information to make an informed decision about the patent application.

Q: How do I submit an Information Disclosure Citation?
A: You can submit an Information Disclosure Citation using Form PTO/SB/42, following the instructions provided by the USPTO.

Q: What should be included in an Information Disclosure Citation?
A: An Information Disclosure Citation should include a list of the prior art references or documents that are being disclosed, along with a concise explanation of their relevance to the patentability of the invention.

Q: When should I submit an Information Disclosure Citation?
A: You should submit an Information Disclosure Citation as early as possible in the patent application process, and any time you become aware of new prior art that may be relevant.

Q: Are there any fees associated with submitting an Information Disclosure Citation?
A: Yes, there may be fees associated with submitting an Information Disclosure Citation. You should refer to the current fee schedule provided by the USPTO for more information.

Q: What happens after I submit an Information Disclosure Citation?
A: After you submit an Information Disclosure Citation, the USPTO will review the disclosed prior art and consider it during the examination of your patent application.