Can I obtain an inventor's signed declaration, then convert a patent specification to ABX format, and use that same declaration for filing?
Mr. Ross Dannenberg of Banner & Witcoff, Ltd. asked the Patent Office as to whether the reformatting performed as a part of EFS filing require that a new Declaration be signed, and here is the response he received:
Mr. Dannenburg, I checked with our system developers, and they agree that a FAQ on this topic would be useful. We started the process for developing the FAQ. I'll be writing the response to that issue in due course. The response will indicate that the USPTO considers the minor re-arranging of the parts of the application to not be a change in the content of the application. The applicant will be careful to avoid adding any new matter to the application in the process, except for headings and other organizational indicia needed to fit the EFS requirements for submission. Best regards, Jay Lucas Sr., Legal Advisor, USPTO