In light of malpractice risk and increasing workload, it is vital for practitioners to work effectively and efficiently. This manual provides a tool for promoting the quality of application conduct by enhancing mindfulness of the practitioner to procedural options available at any given point during the application protocol. It will aid the practitioner in anticipating the Patent Office's actions, as well as elevate the practitioner's awareness of options available in prosecuting an application.

Table of Contents:

Part One: Domestic Filing Practice

1. Introduction - Patents: The Weak and the Strong
2. Sources of Domestic Patent Law
3. Pre-Filing Activities & Considerations
4. Filing
5. Post-Filing
6. Post-Grant

1. Introduction: Patent World
2. Sources of International Patent Law and Regulations
3. Principal International IP Accords
4. Pre-Application Activities and Considerations
5. Application/Prosecution
6. Foreign Filing Strategies

1. Introduction: Patents for Life
2. Domestic Biotechnology Patent Applications
3. International Biotechnology Patent Application