I will be filing a utility patent with the USPO. My invention might be infringing on an existing US patent. The claim of this patent describes two basic features, the first feature is common in the prior art, the second feature was disclosed in a Canadian patent by the same inventor 7 months before the filing of his US patent. The US patent merely mentions the Canadian patent in the Background section but does not list it as a cited prior art. The Canadian patent is different from the US patent and with different claims but still includes the second feature (I am concerned about).
1- Can I challenge the validity of the US patent citing the inventor’s Canadian patent as prior art (although it was filed only 7 months prior to his US patent)?
2- Can I apply for the validity challenge as part of my patent application? If yes, how? And any extra fees required?
Thank You,
Imad
1- Can I challenge the validity of the US patent citing the inventor’s Canadian patent as prior art (although it was filed only 7 months prior to his US patent)?
2- Can I apply for the validity challenge as part of my patent application? If yes, how? And any extra fees required?
Thank You,
Imad