Please Note: Updating matters from Patent Center, PEDS, EspaceNet or TSDR will automatically add priority connections for patent and trademark matters. However, subject matter connections must be added manually or via a spreadsheet import.
Matter Families, which are also known as "Related Matters" are built by establishing priority or subject matter connections between a group of matters. These "Related Matters" are useful when adding prior art to a patent matter. Specifically, when citing art to one patent matter, you have the option of citing the art to one or more of the related matters.
A matter family is started when one matter claims a connection to another matter. For example, if A claims a priority connection to B, A and B are now part of a family. If C later claims priority to B then A, B and C are all related, even though no explicit connection exists between A and C. Let's say D has connections (doesn't matter whether they are priority or subject matter) to E-H. If C has a connection to D, A-H all become part of the same matter family.
In the example below, matter AN-00001 only claims explicit connections to three matters, yet it's Related Matters section includes 23 matters.
Matter Families, which are also known as "Related Matters" are built by establishing priority or subject matter connections between a group of matters. These "Related Matters" are useful when adding prior art to a patent matter. Specifically, when citing art to one patent matter, you have the option of citing the art to one or more of the related matters.
A matter family is started when one matter claims a connection to another matter. For example, if A claims a priority connection to B, A and B are now part of a family. If C later claims priority to B then A, B and C are all related, even though no explicit connection exists between A and C. Let's say D has connections (doesn't matter whether they are priority or subject matter) to E-H. If C has a connection to D, A-H all become part of the same matter family.
In the example below, matter AN-00001 only claims explicit connections to three matters, yet it's Related Matters section includes 23 matters.
Clicking on the icon highlighted above, provides a graphical representation of the related matters and how they connect to one another.
The following steps can be used to make a connection from one matter to another:
- Go to the Matters module.
- Select the Matter you wish to connect.
- On the Matter Details page, scroll down to the Connections section and click the Add button.
- In the Connection popup window, begin typing the Attorney Ref, application number or title of an existing matter in your account in the Search existing matters field to select.
- Alternatively, you can specify a connection to a matter that does not exist in AppColl by checking the Specify connection information radio button and entering the required data.
- Select the Connection Type (Priority Application or Subject Matter). If selecting Priority Application, select the Priority Not Claimed box if needed. If selecting Subject Matter, deselect the Add prior art reference if needed. Adding prior art to a matter generates a “File Supplemental IDS” task.
- Click the Ok button.
- Verify the connection was added successfully.
- Click the Apply Changes button.
The newly connected matter (and all of its relatives) will now show in the Related Matters section in the bottom left column.
Remove Matter Connections
To remove matter connections, click the trash can icon next to the connection you wish to remove.
