USPTO to Eliminate the Disclosure Document Program
The Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will eliminate its Disclosure Document Program on February 1, 2007. The USPTO implemented the low cost Disclosure Document Program in 1969 to provide inventors not ready to file for a patent with an alternative method of establishing the date of conception of an invention. In the United States, priority for a patent goes to the person who is first to invent rather than to the person who is first to file a patent application. The date of conception is important in establishing who the first inventor is in the event another inventor applies for a patent for the same invention.
The Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will eliminate its Disclosure Document Program on February 1, 2007. The USPTO implemented the low cost Disclosure Document Program in 1969 to provide inventors not ready to file for a patent with an alternative method of establishing the date of conception of an invention. In the United States, priority for a patent goes to the person who is first to invent rather than to the person who is first to file a patent application. The date of conception is important in establishing who the first inventor is in the event another inventor applies for a patent for the same invention.
I’m so sorry to hear that. I have used the program many times and, most recently, referenced the Disclosure Document Number in a patent application – which was subsequently granted. Will there be another low-cost alternative to the DDP?
I had not chance to use the Disclosure Document Program yet.
I’m sorry to hear that.I was counting on the program for future submissions.