In part for this reason, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is likely to see increased numbers of provisional applications, which if done properly can be a cost-effective way to obtain an early priority date forapatent application.
After waiting for years to obtainapatent, and enduring a difficult path of expensive examination, the patent owner would have to endure still more attacks, without the shield of the clear and convincing evidence standard for protection.
Canada relented after threatening to circumvent apatent on Cipro, an antibiotic for the treatment of anthrax , and obtain supplies from a generic-drug company.