Patent Prosecution Services for Inventors & Businesses Across the USA
Strategic patent prosecution services and office action response services for software, medical, mechanical, and technology innovations. We help inventors, startups, and businesses navigate the USPTO examination process and protect the commercial value of their patent applications.
What Is Included in Our Patent Prosecution Services
Our patent prosecution services are designed to guide inventors and businesses through every stage of the USPTO examination process.
Office Action Review & Analysis
We review every office action carefully, evaluate the cited prior art, and assess whether the examiner's rejections are legally sound before recommending a response strategy.
Office Action Responses
We prepare detailed responses to non-final and final office actions, including legal arguments, claim amendments, and supporting evidence aligned with the invention and your commercial goals.
Examiner Interviews
We conduct examiner interviews when they offer high-leverage opportunities to clarify the rejection, test proposed amendments, and move the application toward allowance.
Claim Amendment Strategy
Our patent prosecution attorneys approach amendments with the goal of overcoming rejections without unnecessarily narrowing the scope of protection.
Continuation, Divisional, & RCE Filings
We file continuations, divisionals, and Requests for Continued Examination strategically, preserving your patent family and keeping protection options open.
PTAB Appeals
Where a rejection is legally incorrect and warrants appeal, we prepare and pursue appeals before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
Prosecution Strategy for Mid-Process Transitions
We assist clients who wish to transition prosecution from another firm, including file retrieval, USPTO power of attorney coordination, and continuation of pending matters.
Patent Prosecution Built for Your Industry
Medical Devices
Medical innovations often involve complex technical and regulatory considerations. We assist with patent prosecution strategies for medical technologies, healthcare systems, diagnostic tools, and related innovations.
Mechanical Devices
Mechanical inventions require precise functional and structural arguments. We assist inventors and businesses with patent prosecution for mechanical systems and engineered products.
Transportation
Transportation innovations often combine engineering, automation, and system-level functionality. We assist with patent prosecution for transportation-related technologies and products.
Software & Technology
Software patent prosecution requires carefully structured arguments and claim strategies, particularly under evolving eligibility standards. We support patent prosecution lawyer support for software platforms, systems, applications & technology-based solutions.
Clean Energy
Innovation in renewable and sustainable technologies continues to grow rapidly. We support patent prosecution for clean energy and environmentally focused technologies.
Consumer Products
From product functionality to structural innovation, we support patent prosecution for a wide range of consumer products and market-ready inventions.
Our Step-by-Step Patent Prosecution Service Process
Initial Consultation
We begin with a confidential discussion to understand your patent application, the current stage of prosecution, and your commercial objectives.
Response Strategy Development
We develop a response strategy that balances overcoming the examiner's rejections with preserving the scope of your claims.
Client Review & Collaboration
Our patent prosecution attorney team works collaboratively with clients to review the response, confirm technical accuracy, and ensure alignment with business objectives.
Application & Office Action Review
We review the pending application, the cited prior art, and any prior office actions to assess the legal and technical landscape.
Drafting the Office Action Response
The response is prepared with technical analysis, legal arguments, and any claim amendments aligned with the invention and your goals.
Filing & Continued Prosecution
We file the response and continue prosecution through subsequent office actions, examiner interviews, continuations, or appeals as required.
Types of Patent Prosecution Matters We Handle
Non-Final Office Action Responses
Responses to initial rejections issued by the USPTO during examination, addressing legal and technical objections raised by the examiner.
Final Office Action Responses
Strategic responses to final rejections, including evaluation of amendment limits, appeal options, and Request for Continued Examination (RCE) considerations.
Continuation & Divisional Applications
Filings that preserve subject matter for additional claim coverage or address restriction requirements imposed during examination.
PTAB Appeals
Appeals before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board when rejections warrant escalation beyond the examination level.
Why Choose Sleman & Lund LLP
At Sleman & Lund LLP, our patent prosecution lawyers approach the patent process with both legal structure and commercial strategy in mind.
Multi-Industry Experience
Experience supporting prosecution across software, medical, engineering, transportation, clean energy, and consumer product industries.
Strategic Claim Protection
Focused response strategies aligned with preserving claim scope and commercial relevance, not just chasing quick allowances.
Technical + Business Perspective
Patent prosecution should support both protection of the invention and the broader commercial value of the patent.
Collaborative Process
We work closely with clients throughout the prosecution process to ensure technical clarity and alignment with business objectives.
Long-Term IP Thinking
Our approach considers not only immediate response requirements, but also continuations, future portfolio expansion, and long-term protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is patent prosecution?
Patent prosecution is the process of working with the USPTO after a patent application has been filed, including responding to office actions, conducting examiner interviews, and pursuing allowance of the application.
What is an office action?
An office action is a written communication from a USPTO patent examiner identifying rejections, objections, or requirements related to a pending patent application.
What is the difference between a non-final and a final office action?
A non-final office action allows broader response options and amendments. A final office action imposes stricter limits on amendments and may require an RCE, appeal, or continuation to keep the application active.
Can I switch patent prosecution attorneys during prosecution?
Yes. Clients may transition prosecution to a new firm at any stage. The process typically involves a USPTO power of attorney filing and coordination with prior counsel for file retrieval.
What is a Request for Continued Examination (RCE)?
An RCE is a filing that allows examination of a patent application to continue after a final rejection, often used when further amendments or arguments are warranted.
What is a PTAB appeal?
A PTAB appeal is a formal appeal of an examiner's rejection to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, used when the rejection is legally incorrect and warrants escalation.
How long does patent prosecution take?
The timeline varies based on the technology area, complexity of the rejections, and number of office actions involved. Most utility patent applications complete prosecution within two to three years.
Do you work with inventors across the USA?
Yes. We assist inventors, startups, entrepreneurs, and businesses throughout the United States.
Ready to Strengthen
Your Patent Prosecution Strategy?
Whether you are responding to a first office action, weighing options after a final rejection, or considering transitioning prosecution to a new firm, strategic prosecution support can help protect the long-term value of your patent.
Discuss your prosecution matter confidentially with a patent prosecution attorney and understand the right response approach for your application, technology, and business goals.