DNAprint Genomics (DNAG)

[frogdreaming]

twelks,

The patent application is captured electronically into an Image File Wrapper (IFW) and stored in the patent office database. The IFW is therefore the focus of the patent process as it moves through the various steps.

The organization within the PTO that is responsible for the examination of the applications is the Examining Corp. It is further divided into Technology Centers each responsible for different areas of expertise. Each technology center has several directors and patent examiners. Each center also has a Technology Support Staff (TSS)headed by Supervisory Legal Instrument Examiners.

The phrase "IFW TSS Processing by Tech Center Complete" would indicate that the legal examination of the application is complete. This can mean that the patent has been checked out against the existing patent database to make sure that it does or does not infringe on previously filed patents.

Unfortunately I am not familiar enough with the actual process to know if this step occurs before the technical aspects have been examined, or after.

Obviously progress is being made. Hope this helps.

regards,
frog