Patent Terms Glossary

Application Number (patent)

Definition:
The unique number assigned to a patent application when it is filed. The application number includes a two digit series code and a six digit serial number.

Group Art Unit

Definition:
A working unit responsible for a cluster of related patent art. Staffed by one supervisory patent examiner (SPE) and a number of patent examiners who determine patentability on applications for a patent.

Small Business Concern

Definition:
For purposes of small entity determination per MPEP 509.02 - any business concern meeting the size standards set forth in 13 CFR Part 121 to be eligible for reduced patent fees.

Citation Counts

Definition:
Citation counts are a formal acknowledgement of intellectual debt to earlier patents and previously published scientific research papers.

Patent Family

Definition:
A patent family is the same invention disclosed by a common inventor(s) and patented in more than one country.

Divisional Application

Definition:
A later application for an independent or distinct invention disclosing and claiming (only a portion of and) only subject matter disclosed in the earlier or parent application.

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