FAQs Patent Questions

Question:The Official Gazette contains information on Expired patents, Patents reinstated and Reissue Applications

Answer:
No. The Official Gazette contains a section at the front of the book called "Patent and Trademark Office Notices." Each week, the following information is published: a. Expired Patents: Patents that expire due to failure to pay required maintenance fees. These patent numbers are published approximately 3 months after expiration. b. Patents Reinstated: Patents reinstated due to the acceptance of a late maintenance fee. c. Reissue Applications: Patents filed as reissues. d. Reexams: Patents requested to be reexamined. e. Certificates of Correction: Patents granted certificates to correct previously published material. f. Summaries of final decisions issued by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

Question:What are Credit Patents?

Answer:
Credit patents are similar to Cash; lands could be purchased under the Land Law of 1800 from the General Land Office. This credit system allowed purchasers to pay in installments over a four-year period. A delinquent payment or non-payment of the full balance resulted in forfeiture to the U.S. Because of the economic hardship Congress quickly abandoned the credit system and through the Act of April 24, 1820 required full payment for land to be made at the time of purchase.

Question:How often is the USPTO database updated?

Answer:
The database is normally updated every Tuesday, the day patents are issued. Exceptions may occur for Federal holidays and when problems arise with data availability.

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