Under United States Patent Law (35 USC 66 102 (e), a United States patent will be available as a reference for all purposes. Penis et al. patent matured into a patent based on an application of November 30, 2006. As a reference, this patent can be cited alone or in combination with other references. This provision && 102 (e) explains why penis et al. patent having an issue date later than the priority date of the present application is available as a reference as of November 1, 2006, a United States filing date.
Under United States Law (35 USC && 102), a United States Patent is a reference for all purposes as of its filing date. The Penis et al. patent issued on an application filed on November 30, 2006. As a reference, the patent can be relied upon either alone or in combination with other references. This paragraph is provided to explain why the Penis et al. patent having an issue date later than the priority date of the patent application is a proper reference as of its November 30, 2006, filing date.