Searchable MPEP – Manual of Patent Examining Procedure
Ninth Edition, Revision 07.2022 (Feb. 2023)
A free, efficient, and user-friendly searchable electronic replication of the latest edition of the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP). Updated on May 31, 2023.
- Use quotes for an exact phrase match (e.g.,
subject matter eligibility
will find all sections that contain the exact phrase). - Leave out quotes for a broad search to find sections where the searched word(s) are mentioned in any order.
- To find relevant results faster, try combining phrases (in quotes) and keywords (without quotes)
petition to make special
(with quotes) will find all sections that has the exact phrase — in the exact order.- A particular section (or subsection) can be reached by typing the section number or title, e.g., 2143.01 or
transitional phrases
- restrictions on uspto employees (without quotes) will perform a broad search and display sections that have the searched words in any order (Note: this may cause non-relevant results to be displayed as well).
- improper
final rejection
(combination of a phrase–final rejection–and a keyword ‘improper’) can be used to determine all sections related to a final rejection discussing when it may be improper for an examiner to issue one. - Step 2A
prong one
to find subject matter eligibility analysis discussing prong one of step 2A. Note:Step 2A prong one
would ignore the sections that do not contain the exact phrase, so may not be desirable if variants of the phrase.
Search the MPEP
Secrecy, Access, National Security, and Foreign Filing
- 101 General [R-07.2022]
- 102 Information as to Status of an Application [R-07.2022]
- 103 Right of Public To Inspect Patent Files and Some Application Files [R-07.2022]
- 104 Power to Inspect Application [R-07.2022]
- 105 Suspended or Excluded Practitioner Cannot Inspect [R-11.2013]
- 106 Control of Inspection by Assignee [R-11.2013]
- 106.01 Rights of Assignee of Part Interest [R-11.2013]
- 110 Confidential Nature of International Applications [R-07.2015]
- 115 Review of Applications for National Security and Property Rights Issues [R-07.2022]
- 120 Secrecy Orders [R-07.2022]
Types and Status of Application; Benefit and Priority Claims
- 201 Types of Applications [R-07.2015]
- 201.01 National Applications [R-08.2017]
- 201.02 General Terms Used to Describe Applications [R-07.2015]
- 201.03 [Reserved] [R-]
- 201.04 Provisional Application [R-07.2022]
- 201.05 Reissue Application [R-11.2013]
- 201.06 Divisional Application [R-07.2022]
- 201.06(a) Former 37 CFR 1.60 Divisional Continuation Procedure [R-08.2012]
- 201.06(b) Former 37 CFR 1.62 File Wrapper Continuing Procedure [R-08.2012]
- 201.06(c) 37 CFR 1.53(b) and 37 CFR 1.63(d) Divisional-Continuation Procedure [R-10.2019]
Ownership and Assignment
- 301 Ownership/Assignability of Patents and Applications [R-10.2019]
- 301.01 Accessibility of Assignment Records [R-10.2019]
- 302 Recording of Assignment Documents [R-07.2015]
- 302.01 Assignment Document Must Be Copy for Recording [R-08.2012]
- 302.02 Translation of Assignment Document [R-08.2012]
- 302.03 Identifying Patent or Application [R-07.2015]
- 302.04 Foreign Assignee May Designate Domestic Representative [R-10.2019]
- 302.05 Address of Assignee [R-08.2012]
- 302.06 Fee for Recording [R-10.2019]
- 302.07 Assignment Document Must Be Accompanied by a Cover Sheet [R-10.2019]
Representative of Applicant or Owner
- 401 U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Cannot Aid in Selection of Patent Practitioner [R-07.2022]
- 402 Power of Attorney; Naming Representative [R-07.2022]
- 402.01 Limited Recognition in Patent Matters [R-07.2022]
- 402.02 Appointment of Power of Attorney [R-10.2019]
- 402.02(a) Appointment in Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012 [R-10.2019]
- 402.02(b) Appointment in Application Filed Before September 16, 2012 [R-10.2019]
- 402.03 Signature Requirements for Papers Filed in an Application [R-07.2022]
- 402.04 Acting in a Representative Capacity [R-10.2019]
- 402.05 Revocation of Power of Attorney [R-10.2019]
- 402.05(a) Applicant Revocation - Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012 [R-10.2019]
Receipt and Handling of Mail and Papers
- 501 Filing Papers With the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office [R-07.2022]
- 502 Depositing Correspondence [R-07.2022]
- 502.01 Correspondence Transmitted by Facsimile [R-07.2022]
- 502.02 Correspondence Signature Requirements [R-07.2022]
- 502.03 Communications via Internet Electronic Mail (email) [R-07.2022]
- 502.04 Duplicate Copies of Correspondence [R-08.2012]
- 502.05 Correspondence Transmitted by EFS-Web [R-07.2022]
- 503 Application Number and Filing Receipt [R-07.2022]
- 504 Assignment of Application for Examination [R-07.2022]
- 505 Date of Receipt Stamp [R-07.2015]
Parts, Form, and Content of Application
- 601 Content of Provisional and Nonprovisional Applications [R-07.2022]
- 601.01 Complete Application [R-07.2022]
- 601.01(a) Nonprovisional Applications Filed Under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) [R-07.2022]
- 601.01(b) Provisional Applications Filed Under 35 U.S.C. 111(b) [R-07.2015]
- 601.01(c) Conversion to or from a Provisional Application [R-07.2015]
- 601.01(d) Application Filed Without All Pages of Specification [R-07.2022]
- 601.01(e) Nonprovisional Application Filed Without at Least One Claim [R-07.2015]
- 601.01(f) Applications Filed Without Drawings [R-10.2019]
- 601.01(g) Applications Filed Without All Figures of Drawings [R-07.2022]
- 601.02 Power of Attorney [R-07.2015]
Examination of Applications
- 701 Statutory Authority for Examination [R-10.2019]
- 702 Requisites of the Application [R-07.2015]
- 702.01 Obviously Informal Cases [R-07.2015]
- 703 [Reserved]
- 704 Search and Requirements for Information [R-08.2012]
- 704.01 Search [R-07.2022]
- 704.02-704.09 [Reserved]
- 704.10 Requirements for Information [R-07.2015]
- 704.11 What Information May Be Required [R-11.2013]
- 704.11(a) Examples of Information Reasonably Required [R-07.2022]
Restriction in Applications Filed Under 35 U.S.C. 111; Double Patenting
- 801 Introduction [R-07.2015]
- 802 Basis for Restriction Practice in Statute and Rules [R-07.2015]
- 802.01 Meaning of âIndependentâ and âDistinctâ [R-08.2012]
- 802.02 Definition of Restriction [R-08.2012]
- 803 Restriction â When Proper [R-07.2022]
- 803.01 Review by Examiner with at Least Partial Signatory Authority [R-07.2015]
- 803.02 Election of Species Requirements â Markush Claims [R-07.2022]
- 803.03 Transitional Applications [R-08.2012]
- 803.03(a) Transitional Application â Linking Claim Allowable [R-08.2012]
- 803.03(b) Transitional Application â Generic Claim Allowable [R-08.2012]
Prior Art, Classification, and Search
- 901 Prior Art [R-08.2012]
- 901.01 Canceled Matter in U.S. Patent Files [R-08.2017]
- 901.01(a) Ordering of Patented and Abandoned Provisional and Nonprovisional Application Files [R-07.2022]
- 901.02 Abandoned Applications [R-07.2015]
- 901.03 Pending Applications [R-07.2015]
- 901.04 U.S. Patents [R-10.2019]
- 901.04(a) Kind Codes [R-08.2017]
- 901.05 Foreign Patent Documents [R-08.2017]
- 901.05(a) Citation Data [R-07.2015]
- 901.05(b) Other Significant Data [R-08.2012]
Matters Decided by Various U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Officials
- 1001 Statutory Authority of Director of the USPTO [R-07.2015]
- 1001.01 Modes of Exercising Authority [R-07.2015]
- 1002 Petitions to the Director of the USPTO [R-07.2022]
- 1002.01 Procedure [R-07.2015]
- 1002.02 Delegation of Authority To Decide Petitions [R-07.2022]
- 1002.02(a) [Reserved]
- 1002.02(b) Petitions and Requests Decided by the Deputy Commissioner Who Oversees the Office of Petitions or Assigned Staff in the Office of Petitions, the Office of Patent Legal Administration and the MPEP Staff Office [R-07.2022]
- 1002.02(c) Petitions and Requests Decided by the Technology Center Directors [R-07.2022]
- 1002.02(c)(1) Petitions Decided by the Director of the Technology Center Who Oversees Licensing and Review [R-07.2022]
- 1002.02(c)(2) [Reserved]
Statutory Invention Registration (SIR); Pre-Grant Publication (PGPub) and Preissuance Submissions
- 1101 Request for Statutory Invention Registration (SIR) [R-11.2013]
- 1111 SIR Publication and Effect [R-11.2013]
- 1120 Eighteen-Month Publication of Patent Applications [R-07.2022]
- 1121 Content of a Patent Application Publication [R-07.2022]
- 1122 Requests for Nonpublication [R-07.2022]
- 1123 Rescission of a Nonpublication Request [R-07.2015]
- 1124 Notice of Foreign Filing [R-07.2022]
- 1125 Express Abandonment to Avoid Publication [R-11.2013]
- 1126 Publication Fees [R-11.2013]
- 1127 Notice of Publication [R-08.2012]
Appeal
- 1201 Introduction [R-08.2017]
- 1202 Composition of Board [R-08.2017]
- 1203 Administrative Handling [R-10.2019]
- 1204 Notice of Appeal [R-07.2022]
- 1204.01 Reinstatement of Appeal [R-07.2022]
- 1204.02 Pre-Appeal Brief Review Request and Conference Pilot Program [R-07.2022]
- 1204.03 Interviews After Notice of Appeal [R-11.2013]
- 1204.04 Official Record on Appeal [R-08.2017]
- 1205 Appeal Brief [R-11.2013]
- 1205.01 Time for Filing Appeal Brief [R-10.2019]
Allowance and Issue
- 1301 Substantially Allowable Application, Special [R-08.2012]
- 1302 Preparation of an Application for Allowance [R-07.2022]
- 1302.01 General Review of Disclosure [R-07.2015]
- 1302.02 Requirement for a Rewritten Specification [R-08.2012]
- 1302.03 Notice of Allowability [R-07.2015]
- 1302.04 Examinerâs Amendments and Changes [R-07.2022]
- 1302.04(a) Title of Invention [R-08.2012]
- 1302.04(b) [Reserved]
- 1302.04(c) Cancellation of Claims to Nonelected Invention [R-08.2012]
- 1302.04(d) Cancellation of Claim Lost in Interference [R-08.2012]
Correction of Patents
- 1401 Reissue [R-08.2017]
- 1402 Grounds for Filing [R-10.2019]
- 1403 Diligence in Filing [R-08.2017]
- 1404 Submission of Papers Where Reissue Patent Is in Litigation [R-08.2017]
- 1405 Reissue and Patent Term [R-10.2019]
- 1406 Citation and Consideration of References Cited in Original Patent [R-08.2012]
- 1410 Content of Reissue Application [R-07.2022]
- 1410.01 Reissue Applicant and Inventor's Oath or Declaration [R-07.2022]
- 1410.02 Assignee Consent to the Reissue [R-07.2022]
- 1411 Form of Specification [R-08.2017]
Design Patents
- 1501 Statutes and Rules Applicable [R-07.2015]
- 1502 Definition of a Design [R-07.2022]
- 1502.01 Distinction Between Design and Utility Patents [R-07.2022]
- 1503 Elements of a Design Patent Application Filed Under 35 U.S.C. chapter 16 [R-08.2017]
- 1503.01 Specification [R-07.2022]
- 1503.02 Drawing [R-07.2022]
- 1504 Examination [R-07.2022]
- 1504.01 Statutory Subject Matter for Designs [R-07.2015]
- 1504.01(a) Computer-Generated Icons [R-07.2015]
- 1504.01(b) Design Comprising Multiple Articles or Multiple Parts Embodied in a Single Article [R-08.2012]
Plant Patents
- 1601 Introduction: The Act, Scope, Type of Plants Covered [R-11.2013]
- 1602 Rules Applicable [R-08.2012]
- 1603 Elements of a Plant Application [R-11.2013]
- 1604 Applicant, Oath or Declaration [R-11.2013]
- 1605 Specification and Claim [R-11.2013]
- 1606 Drawings [R-11.2013]
- 1607 Specimens [R-08.2012]
- 1608 Examination [R-11.2013]
- 1609 Report of Agricultural Research Service [R-11.2013]
- 1610 The Action [R-08.2012]
Miscellaneous
- 1701 Office Personnel Not To Express Opinion on Validity, Patentability, Expiration Date, or Enforceability of Patent [R-10.2019]
- 1701.01 Office Personnel Not To Testify [R-10.2019]
- 1702 Restrictions on Current and Former Office Employees Regarding Patent Matters [R-07.2022]
- 1703 The Official Gazette [R-10.2019]
- 1704 Application Records and Reports [R-07.2022]
- 1705 Examiner Docket, Time, and Activity Recordation [R-07.2022]
- 1720 Dissemination of Court and Patent Trial and Appeal Board Decisions [R-10.2019]
- 1721 Treatment of Court and Patent Trial and Appeal Board Decisions Affecting Patent and Trademark Office Policy and Practice [R-07.2022]
- 1730 Information Sources [R-07.2022]
Patent Cooperation Treaty
- 1801 Basic Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Principles [R-07.2022]
- 1802 PCT Definitions [R-07.2015]
- 1803 Reservations Under the PCT Taken by, and Notifications of Incompatibility Made by, the United States of America [R-07.2022]
- 1804 [Reserved]
- 1805 Where To File an International Application [R-10.2019]
- 1806 Applicants and Inventors [R-07.2015]
- 1807 Agent or Common Representative and General Power of Attorney [R-07.2022]
- 1808 Change in or Revocation of the Appointment of an Agent or a Common Representative [R-07.2015]
- 1809 Private PAIR Access [R-07.2022]
- 1810 Filing Date Requirements [R-07.2022]
Protest
- 1901 Protest Under 37 CFR 1.291 [R-10.2019]
- 1901.01 Who Can Protest [R-10.2019]
- 1901.02 Information Which Can Be Relied on in Protest [R-10.2019]
- 1901.03 How Protest Is Submitted [R-10.2019]
- 1901.04 When Can the Protest Be Submitted [R-10.2019]
- 1901.05 Acknowledgment of Protest [R-10.2019]
- 1901.06 Office Treatment of Protest [R-10.2019]
- 1901.07 Protestor Participation [R-10.2019]
- 1901.07(a) Filing of Multiple Papers Relating to Same Issues [R-10.2019]
- 1906 Supervisory Review of an Examinerâs Decision Adverse to Protestor [R-10.2019]
Duty of Disclosure
- 2000 Duty of Disclosure [R-07.2022]
- 2000.01 Introduction [R-07.2022]
- 2001 Duty of Disclosure, Candor, and Good Faith [R-08.2017]
- 2001.01 Who Has Duty To Disclose [R-07.2022]
- 2001.02 [Reserved]
- 2001.03 To Whom Duty of Disclosure Is Owed [R-08.2017]
- 2001.04 Information Under 37 CFR 1.56(a) [R-07.2022]
- 2001.05 Materiality Under 37 CFR 1.56(b) [R-07.2022]
- 2001.06 Sources of Information under 37 CFR 1.56 [R-07.2022]
- 2001.06(a) Prior Art Cited in Related Foreign Applications [R-08.2012]
Patentability
- 2103 Patent Examination Process [R-07.2022]
- 2104 Requirements of 35 U.S.C. 101 [R-07.2022]
- 2104.01 Barred by Atomic Energy Act [R-07.2022]
- 2105 Patent Eligible Subject Matter â Living Subject Matter [R-10.2019]
- 2106 Patent Subject Matter Eligibility [R-10.2019]
- 2106.01 [Reserved]
- 2106.02 [Reserved]
- 2106.03 Eligibility Step 1: The Four Categories of Statutory Subject Matter [R-07.2022]
- 2106.04 Eligibility Step 2A: Whether a Claim is Directed to a Judicial Exception [R-07.2022]
- 2106.04(a) Abstract Ideas [R-07.2022]
Citation of Prior Art and Ex Parte Reexamination of Patents
- 2201 Introduction [R-07.2015]
- 2202 Citation of Prior Art and Written Statements [R-08.2017]
- 2203 Persons Who May Cite Prior Art or Written Statements [R-07.2015]
- 2204 Time for Filing Prior Art or Section 301 Written Statements [R-10.2019]
- 2205 Content of Prior Art or Section 301 Written Statements [R-07.2015]
- 2206 Submission and Handling of Prior Art or Section 301 Written Statements [R-10.2019]
- 2207 Entry of Court Decision in Patent File [R-07.2015]
- 2208 Service of Prior Art or Section 301 Written Statements on Patent Owner [R-08.2017]
- 2209 Ex Parte Reexamination [R-07.2022]
- 2210 Request for Ex Parte Reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-10.2019]
Interference and Derivation Proceedings
- 2301 Interference Proceedings [R-08.2017]
- 2301.01 Statutory Basis [R-08.2017]
- 2301.02 Definitions [R-08.2017]
- 2301.03 Interfering Subject Matter [R-08.2017]
- 2301.04 Applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(g) to Applications filed on or after March 16, 2013 [R-08.2017]
- 2302 Consult an Interference Practice Specialist [R-08.2017]
- 2303 Completion of Examination [R-08.2017]
- 2303.01 Issuance and Suspension [R-08.2017]
- 2303.02 Other Outstanding Issues with Patents [R-08.2017]
- 2304 Suggesting an Interference [R-08.2017]
Biotechnology
- 2401 Introduction [R-07.2022]
- 2402 The Deposit Rules [R-07.2015]
- 2403 Deposit of Biological Material [R-07.2022]
- 2403.01 Material Capable of Self- Replication [R-08.2012]
- 2403.02 Plant Material [R-10.2019]
- 2404 Need or Opportunity to Make a Deposit [R-08.2012]
- 2404.01 Biological Material That Is Known and Readily Available to the Public [R-07.2015]
- 2404.02 Biological Material That Can Be Made or Isolated Without Undue Experimentation [R-08.2012]
- 2404.03 Reference to a Deposit in the Specification [R-08.2012]
- 2405 Acceptable Depository [R-07.2015]
Maintenance Fees
- 2501 Introduction [R-07.2022]
- 2504 Patents Subject to Maintenance Fees [R-10.2019]
- 2505 [Reserved]
- 2506 Times for Submitting Maintenance Fee Payments [R-10.2019]
- 2510 Submission of Maintenance Fee Payments and Documents [R-07.2022]
- 2515 Information Required for Submission of Maintenance Fee Payment [R-07.2015]
- 2520 Maintenance Fee Amounts [R-08.2017]
- 2521 [Reserved]
- 2522 Methods of Payment [R-10.2019]
- 2530 Special Acceptance of Maintenance Fee Payments Containing Informalities [R-07.2015]
Optional Inter Partes Reexamination
- 2601 Introduction [R-07.2015]
- 2601.01 Flowcharts [R-07.2015]
- 2602 Citation of Prior Art [R-07.2015]
- 2609 Inter Partes Reexamination [R-07.2015]
- 2610 Request for Inter Partes Reexamination [R-11.2013]
- 2611 Time for Requesting Inter Partes Reexamination [R-11.2013]
- 2612 Persons Who May File a Request [R-11.2013]
- 2613 Representative of Requester [R-08.2012]
- 2614 Content of Request for Inter Partes Reexamination [R-11.2013]
- 2615 Fee for Requesting Inter Partes Reexamination [R-11.2013]