[Patentpractice] [Pct] Inconsistent name between priority doc and PCT re "The University of X" vs "University of X"

Fri Sep 26 23:26:31 UTC 2025

Ha ha! I did use google, yes, but I used it to find an information page of the university in question that stated their “legal” and “preferred” names. (I do not purport to know what authority to search for legal names of institutions in other countries.) Interestingly, we have since heard back from our client that the “preferred” name that was used for the PCT is the correct one to use.

Thanks to all the listserv members who responded. I appreciate all the input on this, especially the reminder that I am not in a position to make changes to the PCT or the priority document.

Karen

From: Patentpractice <patentpractice-bounces at oppedahl-lists.com> on behalf of Rick Neifeld via Patentpractice <patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com>
Reply-To: "For patent practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice." <patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com>
Date: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 1:31 PM
To: "For patent practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice." <patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com>
Cc: Rick Neifeld <richardneifeld at gmail.com>, "For users of the PCT and ePCT. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice." <pct at oppedahl-lists.com>
Subject: Re: [Patentpractice] [Pct] Inconsistent name between priority doc and PCT re "The University of X" vs "University of X"

" When you google the university, it states that the legal name is “The University of X” and that their “preferred name” is “University of X”."  - Google?  Google is not the State Corporation Commission.  Rick

On Thu, Sep 25, 2025 at 5:45 PM Dan Feigelson via Patentpractice <patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com>> wrote:

Karen, I can't say if there's relevant case law on this, but working from first principles, it seems to me that if you're only concerned about the USA, there's no 35 USC 120 governs here, and that section focuses on there being a common inventor between the two applications (in this case, the the provisional and the PCT), not the named applicant.

" An application for patent for an invention disclosed in the manner provided by section 112(a)<https://gcfagjf.r.af.d.sendibt2.com/tr/cl/uyqt7ErNc9RT951Sw10ErWKC7kmQy1e-56QyEcvFvZVkEZuuhVfNMNpRFTm2w7I5SE5qv4qGzUR23apREQ4n1-JR-WHig4aCwEPQOT_oJ8awXemgNpJYLe3ITPVmxuwPIXFzMLwSyaaf-QSU_eCMUfF5CkZAox9xqWEHBRgws_o408iKzbyk2JM7MWuEMBslMLm3Y8vMfVm5kcR4MJce5PEtae6Gl90MLyeCGHBnKX18rLLsqSlCBWVkY53e1aWi0093B1CgZcUR5a9HLTj2abU_RjmksHpLBJcCb3FHEAPOG1BQwqaud21d2p1nAt4mE1QAdc1vGHE8ZNJ4LEqU2l0e7RKId05J>  (other than the requirement to disclose the best mode) in an application previously filed in the United States, or as provided by section 363<https://gcfagjf.r.af.d.sendibt2.com/tr/cl/jiq2lD8eEiid2-AwpS7Vp1SlqnhB1DULd6tkoDPartI12W2hTR3xNSpgVnX1TB2GiRDntm37iLYEubMUCw8uB6xqr8wDofaRqlZM0rA2dGSnH_C6feOBOpB-dxYR5LE7YMXRH_WUHv7bQd_wMupcjgs99sT02vmxAM-fsO-8G9_3JJDr-wCrtwOxdpZvkyAmQwlf9rgWEh8WwM5tIIM6Ece5b4aG33-uMRuZqAzQJFRu2K23qxmsutrBOylxPZLSkhTMUbm179uEg_nQfvEP4HvdIwUXbLIl8LYb4hFfgvLd0NbfteeAjykpPm_KGp73VpQ0JB2NzAFOd4NqZS69lbGt2pgz1425>  or 385<https://gcfagjf.r.af.d.sendibt2.com/tr/cl/RKC6E5iTHea2mu3IDCb38DMQkB-Tnph46jRAIx2l1v_ALZi0hY2ycGLa2nzgvHi38cCWd4woZvYN1eddcG5yR-o_ARGnIb0xnhjjdCn1liwSu2UtvOC--OlngXy8QWT5f_jCj5hfsR8z2cf1Xz0-292Xlk_fITiBTj5t1QRtmulTYzPMmc1OBGYCMdNh6AUjv7dG_NsMdkUvxFXaIZjmiUlZKsZLwTz8RV84cu_YoBQCWYYNyPXivBTJZuNvzv3jPryY8rST3JvVzGrgnrAgYy3O5kNU66eNkdEL4q6oU4NmNkdxt_IpUHng4hjFmhW34Jc5vEsVWKTQBHdYJsT1CWQ_8J5LaUjk7p13EwXIEw>  which names an inventor or joint inventor in the previously filed application shall have the same effect, as to such invention, as though filed on the date of the prior application, if filed before the patenting or abandonment of or termination of proceedings on the first application or on an application similarly entitled to the benefit of the filing date of the first application and if it contains or is amended to contain a specific reference to the earlier filed application. * * *"

So as far as the applicant name goes, I would go with whatever's on the PCT. If there's still time to get the names aligned on the PCT and provisional, then do so (as PL suggested), if not, clean up the mess afterward (as Scott suggests).

Might be a different story outside the USA, but I gather that's not for you to deal with.

On Fri, Sep 26, 2025 at 12:34 AM Patent Lawyer via Patentpractice <patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com>> wrote:
How close are you to the 30-month deadline?  Do you have 1 day?  Can you correct the applicant name tomorrow at WIPO?  (Under 92bis PCT — I am sure others will correct me)

On Sep 25, 2025, at 5:25 PM, Karen S. Canady via Pct <pct at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:pct at oppedahl-lists.com>> wrote:

We have been asked to file a US National Stage on short notice and now see that the priority provisional was filed in the name of “The University of X” whereas the PCT 101 identified the applicant as “University of X”. When you google the university, it states that the legal name is “The University of X” and that their “preferred name” is “University of X”.

We try to always ensure the Applicant name is the same in both documents, but here we are. Does anyone know of TYFOIL or other issues that make this a problem? If so, what is the best version of their name to use for the US National Stage entry? We plan to stick with the name as used in the PCT, but wondering if there is any corrective action we should be taking.

Karen S. Canady | Partner

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