The Potter patent application was filed on June 6, 2002, claiming subject matter invented by Potter. The Potter application properly claims priority to a German application filed on June 6, 2001. In a first Office action all the claims of the Potter application are rejected under 35 USC 102(e) based on a U.S. patent application publication to Smith et al (“Smith”). A registered practitioner prosecuting the Potter application ascertains that the relevant subject matter in Smith’s published application and Potter’s claimed invention were, at the time Potter’s invention was made, owned by ABC Company or subject to an obligation of assignment to ABC Company. The practitioner ascertains that the Smith application was filed on April 10, 2001 and that the Smith application was published on December 5, 2002. Smith and Potter do not claim the same patentable invention. To overcome the rejection without amending the claims which of the following replies would not comply with the USPTO rules and the procedures set forth in the MPEP to be an effective reply for overcoming the rejection?
A reply that only contains arguments that Smith fails to teach all the elements in the only independent claim, and which specifically points out the claimed element that Smith lacks.
A reply that consists of an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.131 properly proving invention of the claimed subject matter of the Potter application prior to April 10, 2001.
A reply that consists of an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.132 properly showing that Smith’s invention is not by “another.”
A reply that properly states that the invention of the Potter application and the Smith application were commonly owned by ABC Company at the time of the invention of the Potter application.
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