United States Patent & Trademark Office May Limit Continuing Applications
On January 3, 2006, the United States Patent & Trademark Office said it may limit the ability of a company to file continuing applications that allow it to revise or modify its existing patent claims, according to an article at MSNBC.com.
The reasoning behind this new rule concerns the growing backlog of patent applications that are waiting to be reviewed by patent examiner’s at the United States Patent & Trademark Office.
Those opposed to these new limitations warn that biotechnology companies in particular rely on continuing applications for products than can take more than a decade to reach the market, and limiting these would curtail competition and the number of claims that could be made, resulting in overbroad and insufficiently protected patents.
This would have a direct impact here, as Florida’s booming biotechnology industry, which includes such corporations as the Scripps Institute, would be forced to limit how they prepare patent applications to afford the maximum amount of protection in such a competitive field.
Those in the area wishing to obtain more information on filing patents, should consult with a Florida patent lawyer with any questions or concerns.