補充IDS提出的時機 - 適用發明、設計、植物專利

筆記補充

美國專利MPEP 609.04(b)規範了提出IDS（information disclosure statement）的時機
（之前筆記：http://enpan.blogspot.com/2008/12/mpep-609-information-disclosure.html）

IDS提出的幾個時機點適用於發明專利、植物專利與設計專利（所以各種樣式的專利申請都應提出IDS）
CFR1.97規定：
(1)
(a)美國專利申請案（一般申請案）提出後3個月內，或是第一次OA發出之前
(b)國際申請進入美國國家階段後，美國申請日後3個月內，或第一次OA前
(c)後續審查期間，如RCE，或CPA等後續案（如分割案），在第一次OA之前
(2)
在上述(1)點內的時間之後，在做出最後處分之前，如Final OA發出之前、核准通知之前、或是OA發出後2個月內
(3)
在上述(2)的時間後，但在繳交領證費時或之前提出
(4)
在上述(3)的時間後，申請案將可能被撤回領證（37 CFR 1.313(c)）

[原文]
609.04(b) Timing Requirements for an Information Disclosure Statement [R-5]
The procedures and requirements under 37 CFR 1.97 for submitting an information disclosure statement are linked to four stages in the processing of a patent application:
(1)
(a) for national applications (not including CPAs), within 3 months of filing, or before the mailing of a first Office action on the merits, whichever is later;
(b) for international applications, within 3 months of the date of entry of the national stage as set forth in 37 CFR 1.491 or before the mailing of a first Office action on the merits in the national stage application, whichever is later;
(c) for continued examinations (i.e., RCEs filed under 37 CFR 1.114) and CPAs filed under 37 CFR 1.53(d), before the mailing of a first Office action on the merits;
(2) after the period in (1), but prior to the prosecution of the application closes, i.e., before the mailing of a final Office action, a Notice of Allowance, or an Ex parte Quayle action, whichever is earlier;
(3) after the period in (2) but on or before the date the issue fee is paid; and
(4) after the period in (3) and up to the time the patent application can be effectively withdrawn from issue under 37 CFR 1.313(c).
These procedures and requirements apply to applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) (utility), 161 (plants), 171 (designs), and 251 (reissue), as well as international applications entering the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371.
The requirements based on the time when the in­formation disclosure statement is filed are summarized in MPEP § 609.01.

Ron