IPFirm.com Blog

Strengthening Patent Filings with a Smarter Pre-Filing Strategy

A Japan-based company was encountering a range of issues in its U.S. patent prosecution efforts — frequent §112 rejections, objections to claims, specifications, and drawings, and unintentionally narrow claim coverage that left out important disclosed subject matter.

Our firm recommended a structured, pre-filing revision process designed to address these pitfalls before they impacted prosecution. Working in close collaboration with the client, we helped revise and expand the specification and claims — developing up to 20 total claims and 3 independent claims prior to filing.

This proactive strategy delivered meaningful results:

  • 93% reduction in §112 rejections
  • 76% drop in claim objections
  • 35% fewer office actions before allowance — often avoiding the need for a Request for Continued Examination (RCE)

By investing in claim quality early, the client strengthened its overall patent position, reduced delays, and avoided costly rework. This case illustrates how expert-led pre-filing preparation can lead to smoother prosecution and broader, more defensible claim coverage.

POST TAGS

Contact Hauptman Ham, LLP for your intellectual property needs.