This module will cover the basic facts about patents. We will explore the different types of patents, including utility, design, and plant. We will define the difference and use of both provisional patent applications and non-provisional patent applications.  Further, we will discuss the process of patent prosecution, the role of the U.S. patent examiner and what to expect when working with the USPTO.  Information regarding a number of patent prosecution programs and initiatives available to applicants will also be provided.

Objectives (What will participants know and/or be able to do after attending):

1. Understand the different type of patents
2. Know the difference between a provisional and non-provisional patent application
3. Introduction to the process of patent prosecution
4. Exposure to patent prosecution programs

Topics include:

• Types of patents
• The parts of a patent application
• The examination process
• Claims analysis with respect to novelty and obviousness
• Office action.

Audience: Business owners who are either contemplating securing intellectual property or already own intellectual property.


Speaker(s): Lou Farina SBDC,, Stephen Koziol, Assistant Director of the Western Regional United States Patent and Trademark Office

Stephen (Steve) Koziol is the Assistant Regional Director of the Western Regional United States Patent and Trademark Office. Mr. Koziol joined the USPTO in 2007 as a patent examiner, and has managed teams of examiners in the computer graphics and digital imaging fields.  Prior to his move to the West Coast, Mr. Koziol worked in the Rocky Mountain regional office of the USPTO in Denver, CO, where he led the design and implementation of various intellectual property outreach and education programs. He has also focused on the development of patent-specific programs within the USPTO, including the Post-Grant Outcomes program, AIA First Inventor to File implementation, AIPLA Partnering in Patents, and patent operations cost and fee modeling.