Patent Terms Glossary

IFW

Definition:
Image File Wrapper - an electronic version of a patent application, including image and/or text versions of the bibliographic information, all papers as filed, and all office actions and correspondence related to that application.

Group Art Unit

Definition:
A working unit responsible for a cluster of related patent art. Staffed by one supervisory patent examiner (SPE) and a number of patent examiners who determine patentability on applications for a patent.

Patent

Definition:
A property right granted by the Government of the United States of America to an inventor “to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention throughout the United States.

Attorney

Definition:
An individual who is a member in good standing of the bar of any United States court or the highest court of any State.

Agent (patent)

Definition:
One who is not an attorney but is authorized to act for or in place of the applicant(s) before the Office, that is, an individual who is registered to practice before the Office.

Pro Se

Definition:
Used to designate an independent inventor who has elected to file an application by themselves without the services of a licensed representative.

Bookmark:           
Permalink:  http://S-0.ORG/7CqtZ5L

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