Information disclosure statement (IDS) contains a list of all prior arts: published or granted patents (US or non-US), scientific literature or publications, or any other information. It is duty of the applicant to disclose the prior arts at the time of filling an application or during the prosecution of the application.

In addition to the IDS form the USPTO may require a eligible copy of:

(i) Each foreign patent
(ii) Each publication or that portion which caused it to be listed, other than U.S. patents and U.S. patent application publications unless required by the Office;
(iii) For each cited pending unpublished U.S. application, the application specification including the claims, and any drawing of the application, or that portion of the application which caused it to be listed including any claims directed to that portion; and
(iv) All other information or that portion which caused it to be listed.

Signicent can help in finding such prior arts (patentability search) or preparing the IDS form in USPTO prescribed format in a cost effective manner.

We can also help manage multiple IDS for entire patent portfolio as well.