Q) Printed Publication (4.03.46p)

by admin on April 8, 2010

in Uncategorized

Recent test takers report question #46 from the October 2003 (pm) exam is in the Patent Bar database of tested questions.

46. In accordance with USPTO rules and procedures set forth in the MPEP, which of the following is not a “printed publication” under 35 USC 102(b), with respect to a patent application filed June 1, 2002?
(A) A paper that was orally presented at a meeting held May 1, 2001, where the meeting was open to all interested persons and the paper was distributed in written form to six people without restriction.
(B) A doctoral thesis that was indexed, cataloged, and shelved May 1, 2001, in a single, university library.
(C) A research report distributed May 1, 2001, in numerous copies but only internally within an organization and intended to remain confidential.
(D) A reference available only in electronic form on the Internet, which states that it was publicly posted May 1, 2001.
(E) A technical manual that was shelved and cataloged in a public library as of May 1, 2001, where there is no evidence that anyone ever actually looked at the manual.



ANSWER: (C) is the most correct answer. The internal report was intended to be confidential and therefore is not a “printed publication” under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b). See MPEP § 2128.01. Answer (A) is incorrect. An orally presented paper can be a “printed publication” if copies are available without restriction. The paper is a “printed publication” under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b). See MPEP § 2128.01. Answer (B) is incorrect. The thesis is a “printed publication” under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b). See MPEP § 2128.01. Answer (D) is incorrect. An electronic publication disclosed on the Internet is considered to be publicly available as of the date the item was posted. The reference is a “printed publication” under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b). See MPEP § 2128. Answer (E) is incorrect. There is no need to prove that anyone actually looked at a document. The manual is a “printed publication” under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b). See MPEP § 2128.

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