Q) 35 USC101 (4.03.19p)

by admin on April 8, 2010

in Uncategorized

Recent test takers report question #19 from the October 2003 (pm) exam is in the Patent Bar database of tested questions.


19. In connection with the utility of an invention described in a patent application, which of the following conforms to the USPTO rules and the procedure set forth in the MPEP?
(A) A deficiency under 35 USC 101 also creates a deficiency under 35 USC 112, first paragraph.
(B) To overcome a rejection under 35 USC 101, it must be shown that the claimed device is capable of achieving a useful result on all occasions and under all conditions.
(C) A claimed invention is properly rejected under 35 USC 101 as lacking utility if the particular embodiment disclosed in the patent lacks perfection or performs crudely.
(D) To overcome a rejection under 35 USC 101, it is essential to show that the claimed invention accomplishes all its intended functions.
(E) A claimed invention lacks utility if it is not commercially successful.



ANSWER: (A) is the most correct answer. As stated in MPEP § 2107.01 under the heading “IV. Relationship Between 35 U.S.C. 112, First Paragraph, And 35 U.S.C. 101,” “A deficiency under 35 U.S.C. § 101 also creates a deficiency under 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph. See In re Brana, 51 F.3d 1560, 34 USPQ2d 1436 (Fed. Cir. 1995); In re Jolles, 628 F.2d 1322, 1326 n.10, 206 USPQ 885, 889 n.11 (CCPA 1980); In re Fouche, 439 F.2d 1237, 1243, 169 USPQ 429, 434 (CCPA 1971) (‘If such compositions are in fact useless, appellant’s specification cannot have taught how to use them.’).” (B) is not correct. MPEP § 2107, under the heading “II. Examination Guidelines For The Utility Requirement,” and see Brooktree Corp. v. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., 977 F.2d 1555, 1571, 24 USPQ2d 1401, 1412 (Fed. Cir. 1992); and E.I. du Pont De Nemours and Co. v. Berkley and Co., 620 F.2d 1247, 1260 n.17, 205 USPQ 1, 10 n.17 (8th Cir. 1980). (C), (D) and (E) are not correct. MPEP § 2107, under the heading “II.Examination Guidelines For The Utility Requirement,” and see E.I. du Pont De Nemours and Co. v. Berkley and Co., 620 F.2d 1247, 1260 n.17, 205 USPQ 1, 10 n.17 (8th Cir. 1980).

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