Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claim 21 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 43 of U.S. Patent No. 12224484. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the combination of 43 and claim 21, upon which 43 depends, teaches each of the limitations of claim 21.
Claim 21 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 43 of U.S. Patent No. 12224484, according to the claim listing filed 9/18/2024 in application 17/113946. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the combination of claim 43 and claim 21, upon which 43 depends, teaches each of the limitations of claim 21.
Claim 29 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 25 of U.S. Patent No. 10439271, according to the claim listing filed 3/8/2019 in application 16/134898. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the combination of 25 and claim 23, upon which 25 depends, teaches each of the limitations of claim 29, except for the requirement that the antenna conductor be electrically coupled to the exposed conductive surface of the first section. However, it was old and well-known to couple conductors at exposed surfaces. The motivation to do so would have been to allow for uninterrupted conduction of electrical currents across the coupling.
Claim 21 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 37 of U.S. Patent No. 10290926, according to the claim listing filed 8/02/2018 in application 15/678704. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because claim 37 teaches each of the limitations of claim 21.
Claim 21 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 25 of U.S. Patent No. 9755296, according to the claim listing filed 4/12/2017 in application 14/659689. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the combination of claims 25, 24, and 23 (upon which 25 depends) teaches each of the limitations of claim 21, except for the requirement that the conductor be electrically coupled to the exposed conductive surface of the first coupling structure. However, it was old and well-known to couple conductors at exposed surfaces. The motivation to do so would have been to allow for uninterrupted conduction of electrical currents across the coupling.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GRAHAM P SMITH whose telephone number is (571)270-1568. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 10am - 6pm.
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/GRAHAM P SMITH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2845
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