United States Patent 6,906,055: A Detailed Analysis of Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
Introduction
United States Patent 6,906,055 is a significant patent that has undergone various processes, including regulatory reviews and patent term extensions. This analysis will delve into the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape surrounding this patent.
Patent Overview
Title and Inventors
The patent in question, U.S. Patent 6,906,055, does not have its title or inventors explicitly mentioned in the provided sources. However, it is associated with regulatory reviews and patent term extensions, indicating its importance in a specific industry, likely pharmaceuticals.
Regulatory Review
The patent is subject to regulatory review under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. This is evident from the application for patent term extension filed under 35 U.S.C. § 156, which is a provision for extending the term of a patent that covers a product subject to regulatory review[2].
Scope of the Patent
Product Coverage
The patent covers a product that has been subject to regulatory review, suggesting it is related to a drug or medical device. For example, a similar patent term extension application was filed for U.S. Patent 6,417,175, which covers the human drug product TEFLARO (ceftaroline fosamil)[2].
Claims
While the specific claims of U.S. Patent 6,906,055 are not detailed in the sources, the USPTO's Patent Claims Research Dataset provides a framework for understanding patent claims in general. This dataset includes detailed information on claims from U.S. patents and applications, which can help in analyzing the scope and dependency of claims[3].
Claims Analysis
General Framework
Patent claims define the scope of protection for an invention. The USPTO's dataset on patent claims includes individually-parsed claims, claim-level statistics, and document-level statistics. This data can be used to understand the complexity and breadth of the claims in a patent[3].
Dependency and Scope
Claims can be independent or dependent, with dependent claims building upon independent claims. The dependency relationship between claims is crucial in determining the overall scope of the patent. For U.S. Patent 6,906,055, understanding these relationships would require accessing the full text of the patent and analyzing its claim structure.
Patent Landscape
International Context
To understand the broader patent landscape, it is essential to look at international patent databases. Tools like the Global Dossier and the Common Citation Document (CCD) provide access to related applications and citation data from participating IP offices. This helps in identifying similar inventions and prior art globally[1].
Related Patents and Applications
The Global Dossier allows users to see the patent family for a specific application, including all related applications filed at participating IP offices. For U.S. Patent 6,906,055, this would involve checking for related applications in other countries to understand the global reach and protection of the invention[1].
Regulatory and Legal Aspects
Patent Term Extension
The application for patent term extension under 35 U.S.C. § 156 indicates that the patent covers a product subject to regulatory review. This extension is necessary to compensate for the time spent in regulatory review, ensuring the patent holder has sufficient time to exploit the invention commercially[2].
Compliance with Regulations
The patent term extension process involves coordination with regulatory bodies, such as the FDA. The application must include a determination of the applicable regulatory review period, which is crucial for the final approval of the patent term extension[2].
Search and Analysis Tools
USPTO Resources
The USPTO provides several tools for searching and analyzing patents, including the Patent Public Search tool, the Public Search Facility, and Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs). These resources are invaluable for conducting thorough searches and understanding the patent landscape[1].
International Databases
Databases from other international intellectual property offices, such as the European Patent Office (EPO), Japan Patent Office (JPO), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), also play a critical role in assessing the global patent landscape[1].
Key Takeaways
- Regulatory Review: U.S. Patent 6,906,055 is subject to regulatory review under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
- Patent Term Extension: The patent has undergone an application for patent term extension to compensate for the time spent in regulatory review.
- Claims Analysis: Understanding the claims requires analyzing the dependency and scope of the claims, which can be facilitated by the USPTO's Patent Claims Research Dataset.
- Global Context: The Global Dossier and CCD tools are essential for understanding the international patent landscape and related applications.
- Search and Analysis Tools: Utilizing USPTO resources and international databases is crucial for a comprehensive analysis of the patent.
FAQs
What is the significance of U.S. Patent 6,906,055 in the pharmaceutical industry?
U.S. Patent 6,906,055 is significant because it covers a product subject to regulatory review, indicating its importance in the pharmaceutical industry. The patent term extension application further highlights its commercial value.
How can one access the full text of U.S. Patent 6,906,055?
The full text of the patent can be accessed through the USPTO's Patent Public Search tool or by visiting the USPTO Public Search Facility.
What is the purpose of the Global Dossier in patent searching?
The Global Dossier provides a single portal to access the file histories of related applications from participating IP offices, helping users to see the patent family and related data for a specific application.
How does the USPTO's Patent Claims Research Dataset help in analyzing patent claims?
The dataset provides detailed information on claims, including individually-parsed claims, claim-level statistics, and document-level statistics, which helps in understanding the scope and dependency of claims.
Why is patent term extension important for U.S. Patent 6,906,055?
Patent term extension is important because it compensates for the time spent in regulatory review, ensuring the patent holder has sufficient time to commercially exploit the invention.
