Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 19/255,503

SELECTING AN AUDIO TRACK IN ASSOCIATION WITH MULTI-VIDEO CLIP CAPTURE

Non-Final OA §DP
Filed
Jun 30, 2025
Priority
Dec 30, 2020 — provisional 63/132,172 +1 more
Examiner
TOPGYAL, GELEK W
Art Unit
2484
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Snap Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
59%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 6m
Est. Remaining
78%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 59% of resolved cases
59%
Career Allowance Rate
362 granted / 613 resolved
+1.1% vs TC avg
Strong +19% interview lift
Without
With
+18.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 7m
Avg Prosecution
16 currently pending
Career history
647
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.6%
-39.4% vs TC avg
§103
84.4%
+44.4% vs TC avg
§102
11.9%
-28.1% vs TC avg
§112
0.6%
-39.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 613 resolved cases

Office Action

§DP
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 6/30/25 and 11/25/25 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner. 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. Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 12,373,161. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because Regarding claim 1 of the instant application: Claim 1 of instant application: Claim 11 of US 12,373,161 A system comprising: at least one processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, configure the at least one processor to perform operations comprising: displaying a capture user interface for capturing video to generate a media content item; providing an audio selection element within the capture user interface, the audio selection element being selectable to select an audio track for the media content item; receiving, via the audio selection element, user input selecting the audio track; and providing, based on the user input, for capturing video in association with the selected audio track for generating the media content item, wherein the capture user interface includes a selection interface for presenting a set of augmented reality content items, each augmented reality content item within the set of augmented reality content items being selectable to apply respective augmented reality content to the video, and wherein in a case where the respective augmented reality content includes accommodating audio, the accommodating audio is muted and replaced with the selected audio track in order to generate the media content item. A system comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to perform operations comprising: displaying, by a messaging application running, a capture user interface for capturing video; providing, by the messaging application, a camera mode selection element within the capture user interface, the camera mode selection element being selectable to switch between a first camera mode and a second camera mode, the first camera mode for capturing a single video clip to generate a media content item, and the second camera mode for capturing multiple video clips for combining to generate the media content item; providing, by the messaging application, an audio selection button and an audio selection element within the capture user interface, each of the audio selection button and the audio selection element being selectable to select an audio track for the media content item; receiving, by the messaging application and via the camera mode selection element, first user input selecting the second camera mode; receiving, by the messaging application and via the audio selection button or the audio selection element, second user input selecting the audio track; and providing, by the messaging application and based on the first and second user input, for capturing multiple video clips in association with the selected audio track for generating the media content item, wherein the capture user interface in accordance with the second camera mode includes a preview button which is selectable to switch from the capture user interface to a preview user interface, the preview user interface being separate from the capture user interface, the preview user interface for previewing, modifying and selecting a playback option for the multiple video clips in association with the selected audio track, in order to generate the media content item, wherein the capture user interface includes a carousel interface for presenting a set of augmented reality content items, each augmented reality content item within the set of augmented reality content items being selectable to apply respective augmented reality content to the multiple video clips, and wherein in a case where the respective augmented reality content includes accommodating audio, the accommodating audio is muted and replaced with the selected audio track in order to generate the media content item As noted in the table above, the limitations of claim 1 of the instant application is broader than and fully encompassed by the corresponding limitations of claim 11 of US 12,373,161. Therefore, each and every limitation of claim 1 of the instant application is anticipated and rejected under Double Patenting provisions. Method claim 8 and NTCRM claim 15 are similarly rejected in the same manner due to the narrower limitations presented in claims 1 and 19 of US 12,373,161, respectively. Dependent claims 2-7, 9-14 and 16-20 are also rejected for narrower or equivalent limitations presented in claims 2-9, 12-18 and 20 of US 12,373,161. Therefore, the totality of claims 1-20 are fully anticipated by claims 1-20 of US 12,373,161 and rejected under Double Patenting provisions. Allowable Subject Matter over Prior Art (Pending Double Patenting Rejection) Claims 1-20 recite allowable limitations over the prior art for the same reasons as discussed in parent application 17/556,802 (now US 12,373,161) in the NOA mailed 4/4/25, however, the Double Patenting rejection prevents immediate allowance. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GELEK W TOPGYAL whose telephone number is (571)272-8891. The examiner can normally be reached M-F (9:30-6 PST). Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, William Vaughn can be reached at 571-272-3922. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /GELEK W TOPGYAL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2481
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jun 30, 2025
Application Filed
Jun 17, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §DP (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12682932
Systems and methods for automatically generating a video production
2y 2m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12670932
IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, APPARATUS, DEVICE AND STORAGE MEDIUM
2y 6m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026
Patent 12633158
FAKE FINGER DETERMINATION APPARATUS AND FAKE FINGER DETERMINATION METHOD
1y 6m to grant Granted May 19, 2026
Patent 12626726
EDITING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, TERMINAL DEVICE, EDITING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM
2y 6m to grant Granted May 12, 2026
Patent 12614342
INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM
2y 1m to grant Granted Apr 28, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
59%
Grant Probability
78%
With Interview (+18.7%)
3y 7m (~2y 6m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 613 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month