Mr. IP Law

When prior art intermixes technical terms that the applicant considers distinct, consider whether the specification provides definitions or support that outweighs the extrinsic evidence.

In patent prosecution, using color in utility patent claims can be a double-edged sword. It might highlight a key aspect of an invention—or get dismissed as non-functional "printed matter." In our latest blog post, we dive into this issue, examining the printed matter doctrine and how it often impacts claims involving color.

Patent professionals should be skeptical of any rejection using non-prior art documents, just as they might be skeptical of an alleged Sasquatch sighting.