Tags
A tag is a keyword or label that categorizes your question with other, similar questions.
For questions relating to the legal requirements necessary for applications to be granted a patent.
Please include a tag relating to the relevant type of intellectual property protection you are asking about. There are invention patents, design patents and utility models. For an explanation of the differences, read the full tag description.
642 questions
For questions involving the creation, use, sale, import or export of patented items without permission from the patent holder or any person legally entitled to grant a license. Also for questions regarding the legal implications for the patent holder or the infringer. If you are beeing sued or put on notice for patent infringement please note that this can cost A LOT of money, you should consult a patent attorney.
473 questions
For questions relating to the USPTO rules related to prior art or what constitute prior art. For REQUESTS FOR PRIOR ART please use the [prior-art-request] tag.
387 questions
Help kill bad patent applications by providing evidence of prior art. Making a difference is as simple as using Google to find literature relevant to a pending application. Follow @AskPatents for a feed.
358 questions
For questions relating to the preliminary steps of a patent, wherein an inventor or attorney files a draft of the patent either for review by a patent examiner, or in the case of provisional applications, for use later. Useful for questions relating to the drafting, scope, requirement, rules, and other such aspects of patent applications.
338 questions
Related to claims definition, interpretation, technical terms, the extent, scope, of the protection conferred to a patent
335 questions
Patents about software algorithms, methods implemented via computer software, and software interfaces
282 questions
United States Patent and Trademark Office, the body which issues patents in the USA.
194 questions
Related to procedures between the patent holder and the patent offices, opposing a patent before grant and similar questions. (The only way to do that is a Third Party Observation (TPO), so please include that tag if your question is about opposing a patent application.)
164 questions
Question related to Provisional specification filing and rules thereof
159 questions
Questions involving patent issues across multiple countries. If your question is about a specific region or country (Eu, China, ...) please include that tag. If your question is about PCT applications (sometimes called international patents), please include that tag.
137 questions
A design patent is a special kind of patent that covers the ornamental design, as opposed to the workings, of a functional item.
115 questions
Questions specifically relating to the patent system of the United States of America.
94 questions
The term of a patent: the amount of time during which a patent can be enforced.
92 questions
88 questions
For questions relating to "novelty," as related to patents. Specifically, the bar for novelty in patents and patent applications, and interpretations thereof.
84 questions
For questions relating to the rules and standards of inventorship, as indicated and used by the United States Patent Office.
77 questions
For questions broadly relating to the licensing and legal sharing of patents. Note that questions about specific license agreements are off-topic.
75 questions
70 questions
For questions relating to the requirements for filing, and effects or functions of, provisional applications
66 questions
Claims to priority based on foreign filings, parent application filings, or provisional application filings.
62 questions
Questions specifically relating to the EPO rules, patent practices in Europe, and patents filed in Europe
60 questions
For posts questioning whether any skilled practitioner would find the idea obvious in light of the prior art.
56 questions
**PLEASE NOTE** that questions about Copyright are off topic for this site. Use this tag for questions predominantly about patents that cross over into Copyright issues.
53 questions
49 questions
For questions relating to the requirements for specification, sufficiency, enablement and rules.
46 questions