"The divisional applications were filed a few years ago and if issued will have a life of 20 years from the dated they are issued>

Well now. I just looked at all these applications and frankly I'm surprised to see that most have a 2007 filing date. hmmmmmm

Can someone explain what that chart on TPL's site means then.

And even though the applications are dated 2007, I still think we are taking priority from the original 749 application. If you look at child continuity of 09/051263 all the applications are taking priority from 09/051263, and I think that application is taking priority from the 749. But I hope I'm wrong.

Certainly would help to clarify this important point. If expiration is 20 years from 2007, then that answers the question of why time, effort and $ is being expended on them. And they essentially could give the MMP a second life.

Perhaps the question is general enough that the USPTO could provide specific answers as to when one of these 2007 applications might expire, should it mature into a patent. Or if that is too specific, then where do we look to know where the clock starts on divisionals.

Opty