2003 Disclosure __ When Made
In reissue applications, applicants are encouraged to file information disclosure statements at the time of filing or within 2 months of filing, since reissue applications are taken up "special" (see MPEP § 1442 and § 1442.03). However, in a reissue where waiver of the normal 2 month delay period of 37 CFR 1.176 is being requested (see MPEP § 1441), the statement should be filed at the time of filing the application, or as soon thereafter as possible.
The presumption of validity is generally strong when prior art was before and considered by the Office and weak when it was not. See Bolkcom v. Carborundum Co., 523 F.2d 492, 498, 186 USPQ 466, 471 (6th Cir. 1975).
2003.01 Disclosure After Patent Is Granted [R-2]
I. BY CITATIONS OF PRIOR ART UNDER 37 CFR 1.501
Where a patentee or any member of the public (including private persons, corporate entities, and government agencies) has prior art patents or printed publications which the patentee or member of the public desires to have made of record in the patent file, patentee or such member of the public may file a citation of such prior art with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 301 and 37 CFR 1.501. Such citations and papers will be entered without comment by the Office. The Office generally does not consider the citation and papers but merely places them of record in the patent file. Information which may be filed under 37 CFR 1.501 is limited to prior art patents and printed publications. Any citations which include items other than patents and printed publications will not be entered in the patent file. See MPEP § 2202 through § 2208.
II. BY REEXAMINATION
Where any person, including patentee, has prior art patents and/or printed publications which said person desires to have the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office consider after a patent has issued, such person may file a request for ex parte reexamination of the patent (see 37 CFR 1.510 and MPEP § 2209 through § 2220). For a request for inter partes reexamination, see 37 CFR 1.913 and MPEP § 2609 through § 2620.