What happens after a patent application is filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office?

If the application is complete, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) will give the application a sequential serial number and a filing date. The application will be examined by the PTO group in charge of the technical class to which the invention belongs. Within six to eighteen months, the individual who examines the patent sends the first "official action" to the patent attorney specified to receive correspondence. If all the claims are patentable and MSU has paid the appropriate fees, the patent will be issued. Typically, the application is not accepted as is, and some of the claims may have to be modified or eliminated. In this case, the patent attorney may need assistance in amending the application. The amended application is resubmitted and the process begins again.  more