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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif">FWIW, I\u2019ve seen the Board reject this line of argument and distinguish what an application disclosure supports claiming from what an applicant has a right to claim in a particular issued
patent type, concluding \u201cthe lack of a design claim in a utility patent does not render that patent inoperative, and the patentee in this case did not have the right to claim the ornamental appearance in the utility patent.\u201d<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif">Prior to 2012, MPEP 1457 only had section IV prohibiting \u201cconversion to utility patent\u201d but 8<sup>th</sup> edition Rev 9 added section V prohibiting \u201cconversion to design patent.\u201d<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> Designs <designs-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Timothy Snowden via Designs<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, September 25, 2025 10:47 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> designs@oppedahl-lists.com; Patentpractice (Oppedahl-Lists) <patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Timothy Snowden <tdsnowden@outlook.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Designs] Continuation Broadening Reissue confirmation of my understanding<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt;background:#FFEB9C"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#9C6500">CAUTION:</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"> This email originated
from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p>Just to add on, here's how I'm thinking through 35 USC 251:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>(a) ... <o:p></o:p></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1">
by reason of the patentee claiming more or less than he had a right to claim in the patent, <b><i>- the applicant had the right to claim design or utility in the original patent</i></b><o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1">
the Director shall, on the surrender of such patent and the payment of the fee required by law, reissue the patent for the invention disclosed in the original patent, and in accordance with a new and amended application, <b><i> - this is the SAME "invention
<u>disclosed </u>in the original patent"</i></b><o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1">
for the unexpired part of the term of the original patent. <b><i>- the design patent would last longer than the utility patent -- but let's assume a terminal disclaimer would probably be required to the other utility patents</i></b><o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1">
No new matter shall be introduced into the application for reissue<b><i> - no new matter is being introduced -- assume that direct quotes are being used from the utility disclosure incorporated by reference</i></b><o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p>(b) The Director may issue several reissued patents for distinct and separate parts of the thing patented, upon demand of the applicant, and upon payment of the required fee for a reissue for each of such reissued patents.<b><i> - wouldn't design and utility
be "distinct and separate parts of the thing patented"? Just like in the original priority chain where both utility and design were continuations of an original application.</i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">On 9/25/2025 9:18 AM, Timothy Snowden via Designs wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<p>I've encountered a fairly uncommon scenario and just want to run this thought process by all of you to double check myself. I'm cross-posting to designs and patent practice because it relates to both.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Assume there's a proper continuation chain of applications (all issued) including utilities and designs. A design patent is the only patent issued in the last 2 years, and so the only patent eligible for broadening reissue. Assume for the sake of discussion
that subject matter recapture and original invention are not an issue here.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p><b>QUESTION: If I file 2 applications in this order:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
a proper broadening reissue application of the design patent (claiming a patentably distinct design that is properly supported in the original application), and then<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
a <i>continuation</i> broadening reissue (not a regular/Bauman type) <b><i>utility</i></b> application<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Would the USPTO reject the <i>continuation </i>reissue as improperly trying to convert from a design to a utility? (MPEP 1457) </u></b>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p><b><u>Does anybody have any experience (practical with the USPTO's response) or thoughts (based on the statutes)?</u></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Just to be clear: broadening reissue application #1 would be a design. Application #2 (continuation reissue application) would be a utility.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Here's where I'm stuck: because it is a continuation <i>reissue </i>application, does the inability to 'convert' apply? I can see an argument that it is still a reissue application of the design patent, so no go. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>However, I can also see that: <o:p></o:p></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
there was an error in the design - applicant claimed less design than they should have. <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
There is no new matter because the design patent incorporated by reference (at least via the priority chain) the entire specification of the parent utility applications. <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
Assume there is no extension of time -- the utility patent 20 year from initial filing term would be less than the design patent 15 year from issue term.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p>Thanks in advance!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
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