Lesson 4.1
Filing Your Application
A step-by-step walkthrough of the USPTO's electronic filing system. Entity status (micro, small, large), required forms, fees, and the common mistakes that cause applications to be returned unfiled.
Patent CenterEntity statusFiling feesApplication Data Sheet
Lesson 4.2
The Examination Process
What happens after you file? Your application enters a queue, gets assigned to an examiner in a specific art unit, and undergoes substantive review. Understand the timeline, the examiner's perspective, and what drives their decisions.
Art unitsFirst office actionExamination timelinePAIR/Patent Center lookup
Lesson 4.3
Responding to Office Actions
Most applications receive at least one rejection. This is normal. Learn to decode each type of rejection (§101, §102, §103, §112), craft persuasive arguments, and amend claims strategically without giving up more scope than necessary.
§102 rejections§103 rejections§112 rejectionsClaim amendments
Lesson 4.4
Examiner Interviews
The most underused tool in patent prosecution. A 20-minute phone call with an examiner can resolve issues that would take months of written arguments. Learn when to request an interview, how to prepare, and what to say.
Interview preparationProposed amendmentsInterview summaryAfter-final practice
Lesson 4.5
Continuation Strategies
One application can become many. Continuations, divisionals, and continuations-in-part let you build a portfolio from a single original filing. Understand when and how to use each — and the critical deadlines you cannot miss.
ContinuationsDivisionalsCIP applicationsPatent term adjustment