Searchable MPEP
Ninth Edition, Revision 07.2022 (Feb. 2023)
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MPEP Chapter 100
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]
- 121 Handling of Applications under Secrecy Order and/or Bearing National Security Markings [R-07.2022]
- 130 Examination of Secrecy Order Cases [R-11.2013]
- 140 Foreign Filing Licenses [R-07.2022]
- 150 Statements to DOE and NASA [R-11.2013]
- 151 Content of the Statements [R-11.2013]
MPEP Chapter 200
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]
- 201.06(d) 37 CFR 1.53(d) Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) Practice [R-07.2022]
- 201.07 Continuation Application [R-08.2017]
- 201.08 Continuation-in-Part Application [R-07.2022]
- 202 Cross-Noting [R-07.2022]
- 203 Status of Applications [R-11.2013]
- 203.01 New [R-11.2013]
- 203.02 Rejected [R-08.2012]
- 203.03 Amended [R-08.2012]
- 203.04 Allowed or in Issue [R-07.2015]
- 203.05 Abandoned [R-11.2013]
- 203.06 Incomplete [R-08.2012]
- 203.07 [Reserved] [R-]
- 203.08 Status Inquiries [R-07.2022]
- 203.08(a) Congressional and Other Official Inquiries [R-08.2017]
- 210 Priority to, or the Benefit of, the Filing Date of a Prior-Filed Application [R-08.2017]
- 211 Claiming the Benefit of an Earlier Filing Date Under 35 U.S.C. 120 and 119(e) [R-07.2015]
- 211.01 Requirements Related to the Prior-Filed Application [R-07.2022]
- 211.01(a) Claiming the Benefit of a Provisional Application [R-07.2022]
- 211.01(b) Claiming the Benefit of a Nonprovisional Application [R-07.2022]
- 211.01(c) Claiming the Benefit of an International Application Designating the United States [R-07.2015]
- 211.01(d) Claiming the Benefit of an International Design Application Designating the United States [R-07.2015]
- 211.02 Reference to Prior Application(s) [R-07.2022]
- 211.02(a) Correcting or Adding a Benefit Claim After Filing [R-07.2022]
- 211.03 Time Period for Making a Claim for Benefit Under 37 CFR 1.78 [R-08.2017]
- 211.04 Delayed Benefit Claims [R-07.2022]
- 211.05 Sufficiency of Disclosure in Prior-Filed Application [R-08.2017]
- 212 [Reserved] [R-]
- 213 Right of Priority of Foreign Application [R-08.2017]
- 213.01 Recognized Countries and Regional Patent Offices of Foreign Filing [R-10.2019]
- 213.02 Formal Requirements Relating to Foreign Priority Application [R-07.2022]
- 213.03 Time for Filing U.S. Nonprovisional Application [R-07.2022]
- 213.04 Requirement to File Priority Claim and Certified Copy During Pendency of Application [R-07.2022]
- 213.05 Right of Priority Based Upon an Application for an Inventorâs Certificate [R-08.2017]
- 213.06 Claiming Priority and Filing a Certified Copy in a National Stage Application (35 U.S.C. 371) [R-07.2022]
- 213.07 Claiming Priority and Filing a Certified Copy in a Nonprovisional International Design Application [R-07.2015]
- 214 Formal Requirements of Claim for Foreign Priority [R-07.2022]
- 214.01 Time for Filing Priority Claim [R-07.2015]
- 214.02 Unintentionally Delayed Priority Claims [R-07.2022]
- 214.03 Office Acknowledgement of Priority Claims [R-07.2022]
- 214.04 Proper Identification of Priority Application in Foreign Priority Claim [R-08.2017]
- 215 Certified Copy of Foreign Application [R-07.2022]
- 215.01 Electronic Priority Document Exchange [R-07.2022]
- 215.02 Time For Filing Certified Copy â Application Filed On or After March 16, 2013 [R-07.2015]
- 215.02(a) Timeliness Requirement â Met By Priority Document Exchange [R-07.2022]
- 215.02(b) Timeliness Requirement â Met By Interim Copy of Foreign Application [R-07.2022]
- 215.03 Time For Filing Certified Copy â Application Filed Before March 16, 2013 [R-08.2017]
- 216 Entitlement to Priority [R-07.2022]
- 216.01 Perfecting Claim for Priority Under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d) or (f) After Issuance of a Patent [R-07.2022]
- 217 Incorporation by Reference Under 37 CFR 1.57(b) [R-07.2015]
MPEP Chapter 300
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]
- 302.08 Mailing Address for Submitting Assignment Documents [R-08.2012]
- 302.09 Facsimile Submission of Assignment Documents [R-11.2013]
- 302.10 Electronic Submission of Assignment Documents [R-10.2019]
- 303 Assignment Documents Not Endorsed on Pending Applications [R-08.2012]
- 306 Assignment of Division, Continuation, Substitute, and Continuation-in-Part in Relation to Parent Application [R-07.2015]
- 306.01 Assignment of an Application Claiming the Benefits of a Provisional Application [R-07.2015]
- 307 Issue to Non-Applicant Assignee [R-11.2013]
- 308 Issue to Applicant [R-10.2019]
- 309 Restrictions Upon Employees of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office [R-07.2015]
- 310 Government License Rights to Contractor-Owned Inventions Made Under Federally Sponsored Research and Development [R-10.2019]
- 311 Filing of Notice of Arbitration Awards [R-11.2013]
- 312 [Reserved]
- 313 Recording of Licenses, Security Interests, and Documents Other Than Assignments [R-07.2015]
- 314 Certificates of Change of Name or of Merger [R-08.2012]
- 315 Indexing Against a Recorded Certificate [R-11.2013]
- 316 [Reserved]
- 317 Handling of Documents in the Assignment Division [R-11.2013]
- 317.01 Recording Date [R-08.2012]
- 317.02 Correction of Unrecorded Returned Documents and Cover Sheets [R-07.2015]
- 317.03 Effect of Recording [R-10.2019]
- 318 Documents Not to be Placed in Files [R-08.2012]
- 319 [Reserved]
- 320 Title Reports [R-08.2012]
- 323 Procedures for Correcting Errors in Recorded Assignment Document [R-08.2012]
- 323.01 Correction of Error in Recorded Cover Sheet [R-08.2012]
- 323.01(a) Typographical Errors in Cover Sheet [R-08.2012]
- 323.01(b) Typographical Errors in Recorded Assignment Document [R-08.2012]
- 323.01(c) Assignment or Change of Name Improperly Filed and Recorded by Another Person Against Ownerâs Application or Patent [R-07.2015]
- 323.01(d) Expungement of Assignment Records [R-07.2015]
- 324 Establishing Right of Assignee To Take Action in Application Filed Before September 16, 2012 [R-10.2019]
- 325 Establishing Right of Assignee To Take Action in Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012 [R-10.2019]
MPEP Chapter 400
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]
- 402.05(b) Applicant Revocation - Application Filed Before September 16, 2012 [R-10.2019]
- 402.06 Attorney or Agent Withdraws [R-10.2019]
- 402.07 Assignee Revocation of Power of Attorney of Applicant and Appointment of New Power of Attorney [R-10.2019]
- 402.08 Application in Interference or Derivation Proceeding [R-11.2013]
- 402.09 International Application [R-07.2022]
- 402.10 Appointment/Revocation by Less Than All Applicants or Owners [R-10.2019]
- 403 Correspondence â With Whom Held; Customer Number Practice [R-07.2022]
- 403.01 Correspondence in Applications [R-07.2022]
- 403.01(a) Correspondence in Applications Filed On or After September 16, 2012 [R-07.2015]
- 403.01(b) Correspondence in Applications Filed Before September 16, 2012 [R-10.2019]
- 403.02 Two Patent Practitioners for Same Application [R-10.2019]
- 404 [Reserved] [R-]
- 405 Interviews With Patent Practitioner Not of Record [R-10.2019]
- 406 Death of Patent Practitioner [R-11.2013]
- 407 Suspended or Excluded Patent Practitioner [R-11.2013]
- 408 Interviews With Patent Practitioner of Record [R-10.2019]
- 409 Death, Legal Incapacity, or Unavailability of Inventor [R-11.2013]
- 409.01 Deceased or Legally Incapacitated Inventor [R-07.2022]
- 409.01(a) Deceased or Legally Incapacitated Inventor - Application Filed on or After September 16, 2012 [R-01.2019]
- 409.01(b) Deceased or Legally Incapacitated Inventor- Application Filed Before September 16, 2012 [R-01.2019]
- 409.02 Unavailable Joint Inventor â Application Filed on or after September 16, 2012 [R-11.2013]
- 409.03 Unavailability of Inventor â Application Filed Before September 16, 2012 [R-11.2013]
- 409.03(a) At Least One Joint Inventor Available [R-11.2013]
- 409.03(b) No Inventor Available [R-08.2012]
- 409.03(c) Unavailable Legal Representative of Deceased Inventor [R-11.2013]
- 409.03(d) Proof of Unavailability or Refusal [R-07.2015]
- 409.03(e) Statement of Last Known Address [R-08.2012]
- 409.03(f) Proof of Proprietary Interest [R-08.2012]
- 409.03(g) Proof of Irreparable Damage [R-11.2013]
- 409.03(h) Processing and Acceptance of a Pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.47 Application [R-08.2012]
- 409.03(i) Rights of the Nonsigning Inventor [R-08.2012]
- 409.03(j) Action Following Acceptance of a Pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.47 Application [R-11.2013]
- 409.04 [Reserved]
- 409.05 Application For Patent by an Assignee, Obligated Assignee, or a Person Who Otherwise Shows Sufficient Proprietary Interest â Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012 [R-10.2019]
- 410 Representations to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office [R-07.2022]
MPEP Chapter 500
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]
- 506 Completeness of Original Application [R-07.2022]
- 506.01 [Reserved]
- 506.02 Review of Refusal To Accord Filing Date [R-07.2015]
- 507 Drawing Review in the Office of Patent Application Processing [R-07.2015]
- 508 Distribution [R-07.2015]
- 508.01 [Reserved]
- 508.02 Papers Received After Patenting or Abandonment [R-08.2012]
- 508.03 [Reserved]
- 508.04 Unlocatable Patent or Application Files [R-07.2022]
- 509 Payment of Fees [R-07.2022]
- 509.01 Deposit Accounts [R-07.2022]
- 509.02 Small Entity Status â Definitions [R-07.2022]
- 509.03 Claiming Small Entity Status [R-10.2019]
- 509.03(a) Duty to Investigate Entitlement to Claim Small Entity Status [R-10.2019]
- 509.03(b) Change or Correction of Status [R-10.2019]
- 509.04 Micro Entity Status â Definitions [R-07.2015]
- 509.04(a) Gross Income Basis for Micro Entity Status [R-07.2022]
- 509.04(b) Institution of Higher Education Basis for Micro Entity Status [R-07.2022]
- 509.04(c) Parties Who Can Sign the Micro Entity Certification [R-11.2013]
- 509.04(d) Continued Obligation to Determine Micro Entity Qualification [R-11.2013]
- 509.04(e) Notification of Loss of Entitlement to Micro Entity Status [R-11.2013]
- 509.04(f) Correcting Errors in Micro Entity Status [R-07.2015]
- 510 U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Business Hours [R-07.2022]
- 511 Postal Service Interruptions and Emergencies [R-07.2022]
- 512 Certificate of Mailing or Transmission [R-10.2019]
- 513 Deposit as Priority Mail Express® with U.S. Postal Service [R-07.2015]
MPEP Chapter 600
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]
- 601.03 Correspondence Address [R-11.2013]
- 601.03(a) Change of Correspondence Address in Applications Filed On or After September 16, 2012 [R-07.2022]
- 601.03(b) Change of Correspondence Address in Applications Filed Before September 16, 2012 [R-10.2019]
- 601.04 National Stage Requirements of the United States as a Designated Office [R-08.2012]
- 601.05 Bibliographic Information - Application Data Sheet (ADS) [R-10.2019]
- 601.05(a) Application Data Sheet (ADS) -- Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012 [R-10.2019]
- 601.05(b) Application Data Sheet (ADS) in Application Filed Before September 16, 2012 [R-10.2019]
- 602 Oaths and Declarations [R-11.2013]
- 602.01 Naming the Inventor; Inventor's Oath or Declaration [R-07.2022]
- 602.01(a) Inventorâs Oath or Declaration in Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012 [R-07.2022]
- 602.01(b) Inventorâs Oath or Declaration in Application Filed Before September 16, 2012 [R-07.2022]
- 602.01(c) Correction of Inventorship, Name of Inventor, and Order of Names in an Application [R-07.2022]
- 602.01(c)(1) Correction of Inventorship in an Application â Request Filed On or After September 16, 2012 [R-07.2022]
- 602.01(c)(2) Correcting or Updating Inventor Name 37 CFR 1.48(f) â Request Filed On or After September 16, 2012 [R-07.2022]
- 602.01(c)(3) [Reserved]
- 602.02 New Oath or Substitute for Original [R-11.2013]
- 602.03 Office Finds the Inventorâs Oath or Declaration Defective [R-07.2022]
- 602.04 Foreign Executed Oath [R-07.2022]
- 602.05 Oath or Declaration in Continuing Applications [R-11.2013]
- 602.05(a) Oath or Declaration in Continuing Applications Filed On or After September 16, 2012 [R-07.2015]
- 602.05(b) Oath or Declaration in Continuing Applications Filed Before September 16, 2012 [R-07.2015]
- 602.06 Non-English Oath or Declaration [R-08.2012]
- 602.07 Oath or Declaration Filed in United States as a Designated Office [R-08.2012]
- 602.08 Inventor and Application Information [R-11.2013]
- 602.08(a) Inventor Bibliographic Information [R-10.2019]
- 602.08(b) Inventor Signature and Name [R-07.2022]
- 602.08(c) Identification of Application [R-07.2015]
- 602.09 Joint Inventors [R-10.2019]
- 603 Supplemental Oath or Declaration [R-07.2015]
- 603.01 Supplemental Oath or Declaration Filed After Allowance [R-11.2013]
- 604 Substitute Statements [R-10.2019]
- 605 Applicant [R-11.2013]
- 605.01 Applicant for Application filed on or after September 16, 2012 [R-10.2019]
- 605.02 Applicant for Application Filed Before September 16, 2012 [R-07.2015]
- 606 Title of Invention [R-10.2019]
- 606.01 Examiner May Require Change in Title [R-07.2015]
- 607 Filing Fee [R-07.2022]
- 607.01 [Reserved]
- 607.02 Returnability of Fees [R-07.2022]
- 608 Disclosure [R-11.2013]
- 608.01 Specification [R-07.2022]
- 608.01(a) Arrangement of Application [R-07.2022]
- 608.01(b) Abstract of the Disclosure [R-07.2015]
- 608.01(c) Background of the Invention [R-07.2022]
- 608.01(d) Brief Summary of Invention [R-07.2015]
- 608.01(e) [Reserved]
- 608.01(f) Brief Description of Drawings [R-10.2019]
- 608.01(g) Detailed Description of Invention [R-10.2019]
- 608.01(h) Mode of Operation of Invention [R-11.2013]
- 608.01(i) Claims [R-08.2012]
- 608.01(j) Numbering of Claims [R-08.2012]
- 608.01(k) Statutory Requirement of Claims [R-10.2019]
- 608.01(l) Claims Present on the Application Filing Date [R-10.2019]
- 608.01(m) Form of Claims [R-10.2019]
- 608.01(n) Dependent Claims [R-07.2022]
- 608.01(o) Basis for Claim Terminology in Description [R-07.2015]
- 608.01(p) Completeness of Specification [R-07.2022]
- 608.01(q) Substitute or Rewritten Specification [R-07.2015]
- 608.01(r) Derogatory Remarks About Prior Art in Specification [R-08.2012]
- 608.01(s) Restoration of Canceled Matter [R-08.2012]
- 608.01(t) Use in Subsequent Application [R-10.2019]
- 608.01(u) [Reserved]
- 608.01(v) Marks Used in Commerce and Trade Names [R-07.2022]
- 608.01(w) Copyright and Mask Work Notices [R-11.2013]
- 608.02 Drawing [R-07.2022]
- 608.02(a) New Drawing â When Replacement is Required Before Examination [R-07.2015]
- 608.02(b) Acceptability of Drawings [R-10.2019]
- 608.02(c) Location of Drawings [R-07.2015]
- 608.02(d) Complete Illustration in Drawings [R-07.2015]
- 608.02(e) Examiner Determines Completeness and Consistency of Drawings [R-07.2015]
- 608.02(f) Modifications in Drawings [R-08.2012]
- 608.02(g) Illustration of Prior Art [R-08.2012]
- 608.02(h) Replacement Drawings [R-10.2019]
- 608.02(i) Transfer of Drawings From Prior Applications [R-11.2013]
- 608.02(j) - 608.02(o) [Reserved]
- 608.02(p) Correction of Drawings [R-07.2015]
- 608.02(q) - 608.02(s) [Reserved]
- 608.02(t) Cancelation of Figures [R-08.2012]
- 608.02(u) [Reserved]
- 608.02(v) Drawing Changes Which Require Annotated Sheets [R-08.2012]
- 608.02(w) Drawing Changes Which May Be Made Without Applicantâs Annotated Sheets [R-11.2013]
- 608.02(x) Drawing Corrections or Changes Accepted Unless Notified Otherwise [R-08.2012]
- 608.02(y) Return of Drawing [R-08.2012]
- 608.02(z) Allowable Applications Needing Drawing Corrections or Corrected Drawings [R-07.2015]
- 608.03 Models, Exhibits, Specimens [R-08.2012]
- 608.03(a) Handling of Models, Exhibits, and Specimens [R-07.2015]
- 608.04 New Matter [R-10.2019]
- 608.04(a) Matter Not Present in Specification, Claims, or Drawings on the Application Filing Date [R-10.2019]
- 608.04(b) New Matter by Preliminary Amendment [R-10.2019]
- 608.04(c) Review of Examinerâs Holding of New Matter [R-11.2013]
- 608.05 âSequence Listing,â âLarge Tables,â or âComputer Program Listing Appendixâ Submitted in ASCII Plain Text or a âSequence Listing XMLâ Submitted as XML File Text [R-07.2022]
- 608.05(a) Submission of a âComputer Program Listing Appendixâ [R-07.2022]
- 608.05(b) ASCII Plain Text Submissions of âLarge Tablesâ and Treatment of Lengthy Tables in a Specification for Patents and Patent Application Publications [R-07.2022]
- 608.05(c) Submissions of Biological Sequence Listings [R-07.2022]
- 609 Information Disclosure Statement [R-07.2022]
- 609.01 Examiner Checklist for Information Disclosure Statements [R-07.2022]
- 609.02 Information Disclosure Statements in Continued Examinations or Continuing Applications [R-07.2015]
- 609.03 Information Disclosure Statements in National Stage Applications [R-07.2022]
- 609.04 Content and Timing Requirements for an Information Disclosure Statement [R-07.2022]
- 609.04(a) Content Requirements for an Information Disclosure Statement [R-07.2022]
- 609.04(b) Timing Requirements for an Information Disclosure Statement [R-07.2022]
- 609.05 Examiner Handling of Information Disclosure Statements [R-08.2012]
- 609.05(a) Noncomplying Information Disclosure Statements [R-07.2022]
- 609.05(b) Complying Information Disclosure Statements [R-07.2022]
- 609.05(c) Documents Submitted as Part of Applicantâs Reply to Office Action [R-07.2022]
- 609.06 Information Printed on Patent [R-07.2022]
- 609.07 IDSs Electronically Submitted (e-IDS) Using EFS-Web [R-07.2022]
- 609.08 Electronic Processing of Information Disclosure Statement [R-07.2022]
MPEP Chapter 700
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]
- 704.11(b) When May a Requirement for Information Be Made [R-08.2012]
- 704.12 Replies to a Requirement for Information [R-08.2012]
- 704.12(a) Relationship of Requirement for Information to Duty of Disclosure [R-08.2012]
- 704.12(b) What Constitutes a Complete Reply [R-08.2012]
- 704.12(c) Treatment of an Incomplete Reply [R-10.2019]
- 704.13 Time Periods for Reply [R-08.2012]
- 704.14 Making a Requirement for Information [R-08.2012]
- 704.14(a) Format of the Requirement [R-07.2022]
- 704.14(b) Examinerâs Obligation Following Applicantâs Reply [R-08.2017]
- 704.14(c) Petitions to Requirements Under 37 CFR 1.105 [R-08.2012]
- 704.14(d) Relationship to Information Disclosure Statements [R-08.2012]
- 705 Patentability Reports [R-08.2012]
- 705.01 Instructions re Patentability Reports [R-07.2015]
- 705.01(a) Nature of P.R., Its Use and Disposal [R-08.2017]
- 705.01(b) Sequence of Examination [R-08.2012]
- 705.01(c) Counting and Recording P.R.s [R-08.2012]
- 705.01(d) [Reserved]
- 705.01(e) Limitation as to Use [R-07.2015]
- 705.01(f) Interviews With Applicants [R-08.2012]
- 706 Rejection of Claims [R-07.2015]
- 706.01 Contrasted With Objections [R-11.2013]
- 706.02 Rejection on Prior Art [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(a) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(a)(1) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(a)(2) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(b) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(b)(1) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(b)(2) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(c) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(c)(1) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(c)(2) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(d) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(e) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(f) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(f)(1) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(f)(2) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(g) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(h) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(i) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(j) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(k) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(l) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(l)(1) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(l)(2) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(l)(3) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(m) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.02(n) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.03 Rejections Not Based on Prior Art [R-10.2019]
- 706.03(a) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.03(b) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.03(c) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.03(d) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.03(e) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.03(f) - 706.03(j) [Reserved]
- 706.03(k) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.03(l) - 706.03(n) [Reserved]
- 706.03(o) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.03(p) - 706.03(r) [Reserved]
- 706.03(s) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.03(t) [Reserved]
- 706.03(u) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.03(v) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.03(w) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.03(x) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.03(y) [Reserved] [R-10.2019]
- 706.04 Rejection of Previously Allowed Claims [R-11.2013]
- 706.05 Rejection After Allowance of Application [R-08.2012]
- 706.06 Rejection of Claims Copied From Patent [R-10.2019]
- 706.07 Final Rejection [R-07.2022]
- 706.07(a) Final Rejection, When Proper on Second Action [R-07.2022]
- 706.07(b) Final Rejection, When Proper on First Action [R-07.2022]
- 706.07(c) Final Rejection, Premature [R-11.2013]
- 706.07(d) Final Rejection, Withdrawal of, Premature [R-08.2012]
- 706.07(e) Withdrawal of Final Rejection, General [R-08.2012]
- 706.07(f) Time for Reply to Final Rejection [R-10.2019]
- 706.07(g) Transitional After-Final Practice [R-07.2015]
- 706.07(h) Request for Continued Examination (RCE) Practice [R-07.2022]
- 707 Examinerâs Letter or Action [R-07.2022]
- 707.01 Primary Examiner Indicates Action for New Assistant [R-07.2015]
- 707.02 Applications Up for Third Action and 5-Year Applications [R-07.2015]
- 707.03â707.04 [Reserved]
- 707.05 Citation of References [R-08.2017]
- 707.05(a) Copies of Cited References [R-07.2022]
- 707.05(b) Citation of Related Art and Information by Applicants [R-08.2012]
- 707.05(c) Order of Listing [R-08.2012]
- 707.05(d) Reference Cited in Subsequent Actions [R-08.2012]
- 707.05(e) Data Used in Citing References [R-10.2019]
- 707.05(f) Non-Patent Documents Having a Lengthy Citation [R-07.2022]
- 707.05(g) Incorrect Citation of References [R-11.2013]
- 707.06 Citation of Decisions, Orders Memorandums, and Notices [R-11.2013]
- 707.07 Completeness and Clarity of Examinerâs Action [R-08.2012]
- 707.07(a) Complete Action on Formal Matters [R-08.1012]
- 707.07(b) - 707.07(c) [Reserved]
- 707.07(d) Language To Be Used in Rejecting Claims [R-10.2019]
- 707.07(e) Note All Outstanding Requirements [R-08.2012]
- 707.07(f) Answer All Material Traversed [R-07.2022]
- 707.07(g) Piecemeal Examination [R-07.2015]
- 707.07(h) Notify of Inaccuracies in Amendment [R-08.2012]
- 707.07(i) Each Claim To Be Mentioned in Each Office Action [R-11.2013]
- 707.07(j) State When Claims Are Allowable [R-11.2013]
- 707.07(k) Numbering Paragraphs [R-08.2012]
- 707.07(l) Comment on Examples [R-10.2019]
- 707.08 Reviewing and Initialing by Assistant Examiner [R-07.2022]
- 707.09 Signing by Primary or Other Authorized Examiner [R-11.2013]
- 707.10 Entry [R-11.2013]
- 707.11 Date [R-08.2012]
- 707.12 Mailing [R-11.2013]
- 707.13 Returned Office Action [R-07.2022]
- 708 Order of Examination [R-11.2013]
- 708.01 List of Special Cases [R-07.2022]
- 708.02 Petition To Make Special [R-07.2022]
- 708.02(a) Accelerated Examination [R-07.2022]
- 708.02(b) Prioritized Examination [R-07.2022]
- 708.02(c) Patent Prosecution Highway Program [R-07.2015]
- 708.03 Examiner Tenders Resignation [R-11.2013]
- 709 Suspension of Action [R-07.2022]
- 709.01 Overlapping Applications by Same Applicant or Owned by Same Assignee [R-11.2013]
- 710 Period for Reply [R-07.2022]
- 710.01 Statutory Period [R-07.2015]
- 710.01(a) Statutory Period, How Computed [R-07.2022]
- 710.02 Shortened Statutory Period and Time Limit Actions Computed [R-07.2015]
- 710.02(a) [Reserved]
- 710.02(b) Shortened Statutory Period: Situations in Which Used [R-07.2015]
- 710.02(c) Specified Time Limits: Situations in Which Used [R-11.2013]
- 710.02(d) Difference Between Shortened Statutory Periods for Reply and Specified Time Limits [R-07.2015]
- 710.02(e) Extension of Time [R-07.2022]
- 710.03 [Reserved]
- 710.04 Two Periods Running [R-08.2012]
- 710.04(a) Copying Patent Claims [R-08.2012]
- 710.05 Period Ending on Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal Holiday [R-07.2022]
- 710.06 Situations When Reply Period Is Reset or Restarted [R-08.2017]
- 711 Abandonment of Patent Application [R-07.2015]
- 711.01 Express or Formal Abandonment [R-07.2022]
- 711.02 Failure To Take Required Action During Statutory Period [R-07.2022]
- 711.02(a) Insufficiency of Reply [R-08.2012]
- 711.02(b) Special Situations Involving Abandonment [R-07.2015]
- 711.02(c) Termination of Proceedings [R-11.2013]
- 711.03 Reconsideration of Holding of Abandonment; Revival [R-08.2012]
- 711.03(a) Holding Based on Insufficiency of Reply [R-08.2012]
- 711.03(b) Holding Based on Failure To Reply Within Period [R-08.2012]
- 711.03(c) Petitions Relating to Abandonment [R-07.2022]
- 711.03(d) Examinerâs Statement on Petition To Set Aside Examinerâs Holding [R-08.2012]
- 711.04 Public Access to Abandoned Applications [R-07.2022]
- 711.04(a) Date of Abandonment [R-07.2022]
- 711.04(b) Ordering of Patented and Abandoned Files [R-07.2022]
- 711.04(c) Notifying Applicants of Abandonment [R-07.2015]
- 711.05 Letter of Abandonment Received After Application Is Allowed [R-08.2012]
- 711.06 Abstracts, Abbreviatures, and Defensive Publications [R-10.2019]
- 711.06(a) Citation and Use of Abstracts, Abbreviatures, and Defensive Publications as References [R-10.2019]
- 712 [Reserved]
- 713 Interviews [R-07.2022]
- 713.01 General Policy, How Conducted [R-07.2022]
- 713.02 Interviews Prior to First Official Action [R-07.2022]
- 713.03 Interview for âSounding Outâ Examiner Not Permitted [R-08.2012]
- 713.04 Substance of Interview Must Be Made of Record [R-07.2022]
- 713.05 Interviews Prohibited or Granted, Special Situations [R-07.2022]
- 713.06 No Inter Partes Questions Discussed Ex Parte [R-08.2012]
- 713.07 Exposure of Other Cases [R-07.2022]
- 713.08 Demonstration, Exhibits, Models [R-07.2015]
- 713.09 Interviews Between Final Rejection and Notice of Appeal [R-08.2017]
- 713.10 Interview Preceding Filing Amendment Under 37 CFR 1.312 [R-08.2012]
- 714 Amendments, Applicantâs Action [R-07.2022]
- 714.01 Signatures to Amendments [R-08.2012]
- 714.01(a) Unsigned or Improperly Signed Amendment [R-10.2019]
- 714.01(b) [Reserved]
- 714.01(c) Signed by Attorney or Agent Not of Record [R-11.2013]
- 714.01(d) Amendment Signed by Applicant but Not by Attorney or Agent of Record [R-07.2022]
- 714.01(e) Amendments Before First Office Action [R-10.2019]
- 714.02 Must Be Fully Responsive [R-08.2012]
- 714.03 Amendments Not Fully Responsive, Action To Be Taken [R-10.2019]
- 714.03(a) Supplemental Amendment [R-10.2019]
- 714.04 Claims Presented in Amendment With No Attempt To Point Out Patentable Novelty [R-08.2012]
- 714.05 Examiner Should Immediately Review [R-07.2022]
- 714.06 [Reserved]
- 714.07 Amendments Not in Permanent Ink [R-11.2013]
- 714.08-714.09 [Reserved]
- 714.10 Claims Added in Excess of Claims Previously Paid For [R-08.2012]
- 714.11 Amendment Filed During Interference Proceedings [R-08.2012]
- 714.12 Amendments and Other Replies After Final Rejection or Action [R-07.2022]
- 714.13 Amendments and Other Replies After Final Rejection or Action, Procedure Followed [R-07.2022]
- 714.14 Amendments After Allowance of All Claims [R-10.2019]
- 714.15 Amendment Received in Technology Center After Mailing of Notice of Allowance [R-08.2012]
- 714.16 Amendment After Notice of Allowance, 37 CFR 1.312 [R-10.2019]
- 714.16(a) Amendments Under 37 CFR 1.312, Copied Patent Claims [R-08.2012]
- 714.16(b) Amendments Under 37 CFR 1.312 Filed With a Motion Under 37 CFR 41.208 [R-08.2012]
- 714.16(c) Amendments Under 37 CFR 1.312, Additional Claims [R-08.2012]
- 714.16(d) Amendments Under 37 CFR 1.312, Handling [R-07.2022]
- 714.16(e) Amendments Under 37 CFR 1.312, Entry in Part [R-07.2022]
- 714.17 Amendment Filed After the Period for Reply Has Expired [R-08.2012]
- 714.18 Entry of Amendments [R-11.2013]
- 714.19 List of Amendments, Entry Denied [R-07.2022]
- 714.20 List of Amendments Entered in Part [R-11.2013]
- 714.21 Amendments Inadvertently Entered, No Legal Effect [R-11.2013]
- 714.22-714.24 [Reserved]
- 714.25 Discourtesy of Applicant or Attorney [R-07.2022]
- 715 Swearing Behind a Reference â Affidavit or Declaration Under 37Â CFR 1.131(a) [R-07.2022]
- 715.01 37 CFR 1.131(a) Affidavits Versus 37 CFR 1.132 Affidavits [R-08.2017]
- 715.01(a) Reference Is a Patent or Published Application Naming Different Inventive Entity With at Least One Common Inventor [R-10.2019]
- 715.01(b) Reference and Application Have Common Assignee [R-07.2022]
- 715.01(c) Reference Is Publication of Inventorâs Own Invention [R-07.2022]
- 715.01(d) Activities Applied Against the Claims [R-08.2017]
- 715.02 How Much of the Claimed Invention Must Be Shown, Including the General Rule as to Generic Claims [R-08.2017]
- 715.03 Genus-Species, Practice Relative to Cases Where Predictability Is in Question [R-07.2022]
- 715.04 Who May Make Affidavit or Declaration Under 37 CFR 1.131(a); Formal Requirements of Affidavits and Declarations [R-07.2015]
- 715.05 U.S. Patent or Application Publication Claiming Same Invention [R-11.2013]
- 715.06 [Reserved]
- 715.07 Facts and Documentary Evidence [R-07.2022]
- 715.07(a) Diligence [R-08.2017]
- 715.07(b) Interference Testimony Sometimes Used [R-08.2017]
- 715.07(c) Acts Relied Upon Must Have Been Carried Out in This Country or a NAFTA or WTO Member Country [R-07.2015]
- 715.07(d) Disposition of Exhibits [R-11.2013]
- 715.08 Decided by Primary Examiner [R-11.2013]
- 715.09 Timely Presentation [R-11.2013]
- 715.10 Review of Affidavit or Declaration for Evidence of Prior Public Use or Sale or Failure to Disclose Best Mode [R-11.2013]
- 716 Affidavits or Declarations Under 37 CFR 1.132 and Other Evidence Traversing Rejections [R-07.2022]
- 716.01 Generally Applicable Criteria [R-08.2012]
- 716.01(a) Objective Evidence of Nonobviousness [R-08.2017]
- 716.01(b) Nexus Requirement and Evidence of Nonobviousness [R-07.2022]
- 716.01(c) Probative Value of Objective Evidence [R-10.2019]
- 716.01(d) Weighing Objective Evidence [R-08.2012]
- 716.02 Allegations of Unexpected Results [R-08.2012]
- 716.02(a) Evidence Must Show Unexpected Results [R-07.2022]
- 716.02(b) Burden on Applicant [R-08.2012]
- 716.02(c) Weighing Evidence of Expected and Unexpected Results [R-08.2012]
- 716.02(d) Unexpected Results Commensurate in Scope With Claimed Invention [R-08.2012]
- 716.02(e) Comparison With Closest Prior Art [R-08.2012]
- 716.02(f) Advantages Disclosed or Inherent [R-08.2012]
- 716.02(g) [Reserved]
- 716.03 Commercial Success [R-07.2022]
- 716.03(a) Commercial Success Commensurate in Scope With Claimed Invention [R-07.2022]
- 716.03(b) Commercial Success Derived From Claimed Invention [R-07.2022]
- 716.04 Long-Felt Need and Failure of Others [R-07.2022]
- 716.05 Skepticism of Experts [R-08.2012]
- 716.06 Copying [R-07.2022]
- 716.07 Inoperability of References [R-07.2022]
- 716.08 Utility and Operability of Applicantâs Disclosure [R-08.2012]
- 716.09 Sufficiency of Disclosure [R-11.2013]
- 716.10 Attribution Affidavit or Declaration to Overcome Rejection Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 or 103 [R-10.2019]
- 717 Prior Art Exceptions under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) and (2) [R-07.2022]
- 717.01 Affidavit or Declaration Under 37 CFR 1.130 [R-10.2019]
- 717.01(a) Declarations or Affidavits under 37 CFR 1.130(a) â Attribution [R-11.2013]
- 717.01(a)(1) Evaluation of Declarations or Affidavits under 37 CFR 1.130(a) [R-07.2022]
- 717.01(b) Declarations or Affidavits under 37 CFR 1.130(b) â Prior Public Disclosure [R-11.2013]
- 717.01(b)(1) Evaluation of Declarations or Affidavits under 37 CFR 1.130(b) [R-10.2019]
- 717.01(b)(2) Determining if the Subject Matter of the Intervening Disclosure is the Same as the Subject Matter of the InventorâOriginated Prior Public Disclosure [R-10.2019]
- 717.01(c) Who May Make Affidavit or Declaration; Formal Requirements of Affidavits and Declarations [R-07.2015]
- 717.01(d) U.S. Patent or Application Publication Claiming Same Invention [R-11.2013]
- 717.01(e) Passed Upon (or Decided by) by Primary Examiner [R-11.2013]
- 717.01(f) Seasonable (or Timely) Presentation [R-07.2022]
- 717.02 Prior Art Exception for Commonly Owned or Joint Research Agreement Subject Matter under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) [R-10.2019]
- 717.02(a) Invoking the Prior Art Exception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) [R-10.2019]
- 717.02(b) Evaluating Whether the Prior Art Exception under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) is Properly Invoked [R-10.2019]
- 717.02(c) Examination Procedure With Respect to the Prior Art Exception under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) [R-10.2019]
- 717.02(d) Form Paragraphs With Respect to the Prior Art Exception under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) [R-10.2019]
- 718 Affidavit or Declaration to Disqualify Commonly Owned Patent as Prior Art, 37 CFR 1.131(c) [R-10.2019]
- 719 File Wrapper [R-07.2015]
- 719.01 Papers in Image File Wrapper [R-11.2013]
- 719.02 Residence of Inventor Changed [R-07.2015]
- 719.03 Classification During Examination [R-07.2022]
- 719.04 Index of Claims [R-11.2013]
- 719.05 Field of Search [R-07.2022]
- 720 Public Use Proceedings [R-07.2015]
- 724 Trade Secret, Proprietary, and Protective Order Materials [R-08.2012]
- 724.01 Completeness of the Patent File Wrapper [R-08.2012]
- 724.02 Method of Submitting Trade Secret, Proprietary, and/or Protective Order Materials [R-11.2013]
- 724.03 Types of Trade Secret, Proprietary, and/or Protective Order Materials Submitted Under MPEP § 724.02 [R-11.2013]
- 724.04 Office Treatment and Handling of Materials Submitted Under MPEP § 724.02 [R-07.2015]
- 724.04(a) Materials Submitted in an Application Covered by 35 U.S.C. 122 [R-10.2019]
- 724.04(b) Materials Submitted in Reissue Applications Open to the Public Under 37 CFR 1.11(b) [R-07.2022]
- 724.04(c) Materials Submitted in Reexamination File Open to the Public Under 37 CFR 1.11(d) [R-08.2012]
- 724.05 Petition To Expunge Information or Copy of Papers in Application File [R-07.2015]
- 724.06 Handling of Petitions To Expunge Information or Copy of Papers in Application File [R-07.2015]
MPEP Chapter 800
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]
- 803.04 Nucleotide Sequences [R-07.2015]
- 803.05 Reissue Application Practice [R-07.2022]
- 804 Definition of Double Patenting [R-07.2022]
- 804.01 Prohibition of Nonstatutory Double Patenting Rejections Under 35 U.S.C. 121 [R-07.2022]
- 804.02 Avoiding a Double Patenting Rejection [R-07.2022]
- 804.03 Commonly Owned Inventions of Different Inventive Entities; Non-Commonly Owned Inventions Subject to a Joint Research Agreement [R-07.2022]
- 804.04 Submission to Technology Center Director [R-07.2015]
- 804.05 Impact of Patent Term Extension under 35 U.S.C. 156 on Nonstatutory Double Patenting [R-10.2019]
- 805 Effect of Improper Joinder in Patent [R-07.2015]
- 806 Determination of Distinctness or Independence of Claimed Inventions [R-08.2012]
- 806.01 Compare Claimed Subject Matter [R-07.2022]
- 806.02 [Reserved]
- 806.03 Single Embodiment, Claims Defining Same Essential Features [R-07.2022]
- 806.04 Genus and/or Species Inventions [R-08.2012]
- 806.04(a) [Reserved]
- 806.04(b) Species May Be Independent or Related Inventions [R-07.2022]
- 806.04(c) [Reserved]
- 806.04(d) Definition of a Generic Claim [R-08.2012]
- 806.04(e) Claims Limited to Species [R-08.2012]
- 806.04(f) Restriction Between Mutually Exclusive Species [R-08.2012]
- 806.04(g) [Reserved]
- 806.04(h) Species Must Be Patentably Distinct From Each Other [R-07.2022]
- 806.04(i) Generic Claims Presented In a Separate Application After Issuance of Species Claims [R-07.2022]
- 806.05 Related Inventions [R-08.2012]
- 806.05(a) Combination and Subcombination [R-08.2012]
- 806.05(b) [Reserved]
- 806.05(c) Criteria of Distinctness Between Combination and Subcombination [R-07.2022]
- 806.05(d) Subcombinations Usable Together [R-07.2022]
- 806.05(e) Process and Apparatus for Its Practice [R-08.2012]
- 806.05(f) Process of Making and Product Made [R-08.2012]
- 806.05(g) Apparatus and Product Made [R-08.2012]
- 806.05(h) Product and Process of Using [R-08.2012]
- 806.05(i) Product, Process of Making, and Process of Using [R-08.2012]
- 806.05(j) Related Products; Related Processes [R-07.2022]
- 806.06 Independent Inventions [R-07.2022]
- 807 Patentability Report Practice Has No Effect on Restriction Practice [R-08.2012]
- 808 Reasons for Insisting Upon Restriction [R-07.2022]
- 808.01 Reasons for Holding of Independence or Distinctness [R-08.2012]
- 808.01(a) Species [R-07.2022]
- 808.02 Establishing Burden [R-07.2022]
- 809 Linking Claims [R-08.2012]
- 809.01 [Reserved]
- 809.02 Election of Species Required [R-07.2022]
- 809.02(a) Election of Species Required [R-07.2022]
- 809.03 Restriction Between Linked Inventions [R-07.2022]
- 810 Action on the Merits [R-07.2015]
- 811 Time for Making Requirement [R-07.2022]
- 811.01 [Reserved]
- 811.02 New Requirement After Compliance With Preceding Requirement [R-08.2012]
- 811.03 Repeating After Withdrawal Proper [R-08.2012]
- 811.04 Proper Even Though Grouped Together in Parent Application [R-08.2012]
- 812 Who Should Make the Requirement [R-07.2022]
- 812.01 Telephone Restriction Practice [R-07.2022]
- 813 [Reserved]
- 814 Indicate Exactly How Application Is To Be Restricted [R-07.2022]
- 815 Make Requirement Complete [R-07.2022]
- 816 [Reserved]
- 817 Outline of Letter for Restriction Requirement [R-07.2022]
- 818 Election and Reply [R-07.2022]
- 818.01 Election in Reply to a Restriction Requirement: Express [R-07.2022]
- 818.01(a) Reply Must be Complete [R-07.2015]
- 818.01(b) Election is Required, Even When Requirement Is Traversed [R-07.2015]
- 818.01(c) Traverse is Required To Preserve Right of Petition [R-07.2022]
- 818.01(d) Traverse of Restriction Requirement With Linking Claims [R-07.2015]
- 818.02 Election Other Than Express [R-07.2015]
- 818.02(a) Election By Originally Presented Claims [R-07.2015]
- 818.02(b) Generic Claims Only â No Election of Species; Linking Claims Only â No Election of Invention [R-07.2022]
- 818.02(c) Election By Optional Cancelation of Claims [R-07.2015]
- 818.02(d) Election By Cancelation of Claims, Lacking Express Election Statement [R-07.2015]
- 819 Office Generally Does Not Permit Shift [R-07.2022]
- 820 [Reserved]
- 821 Treatment of Claims Held To Be Drawn to Nonelected Inventions [R-07.2022]
- 821.01 After Election With Traverse [R-07.2015]
- 821.02 After Election Without Traverse [R-07.2022]
- 821.03 Claims for Different Invention Added After an Office Action [R-07.2022]
- 821.04 Rejoinder [R-07.2022]
- 821.04(a) Rejoinder Between Product Inventions; Rejoinder Between Process Inventions [R-07.2022]
- 821.04(b) Rejoinder of Process Requiring an Allowable Product [R-07.2022]
- 822 Claims to Inventions That Are Not Patentably Distinct in Plural Applications of Same Applicant or Assignee [R-07.2022]
- 823 Unity of Invention Under the Patent Cooperation Treaty [R-07.2015]
MPEP Chapter 900
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]
- 901.05(c) Obtaining Copies [R-08.2017]
- 901.05(d) Translation [R-10.2019]
- 901.06 Nonpatent Publications [R-08.2012]
- 901.06(a) Scientific and Technical Information Center (STIC) [R-07.2015]
- 901.06(b) Borrowed Publications [R-07.2015]
- 901.06(c) Alien Property Custodian Publications [R-07.2015]
- 901.06(d) Abstracts, Abbreviatures, and Defensive Publications [R-08.2017]
- 901.07 Patent Family Information [R-07.2015]
- 901.08 Global Dossier Public Access [R-08.2017]
- 902 Search Tools and Classification Information [R-07.2022]
- 902.01 Classification Manual for the U.S. Patent Classification System [R-07.2022]
- 902.01(a) Index to the U.S. Patent Classification System [R-08.2012]
- 902.02 Class and Subclass Definitions in USPC [R-07.2022]
- 902.02(a) Definition Notes in USPC [R-07.2015]
- 902.02(b) [Reserved]
- 902.03 Classification Information [R-07.2022]
- 902.03(a) Patent Classification Home Page on the Internet [R-07.2022]
- 902.03(b) Patent Classification Home Page on the USPTO Intranet [R-07.2022]
- 902.03(c) [Reserved]
- 902.03(d) [Reserved]
- 902.03(e) Automated Search Tools: EAST, WEST, and SEARCH [R-07.2022]
- 903 Classification in USPC [R-07.2022]
- 903.01 Statutory Authority [R-08.2012]
- 903.02 Basis and Principles of Classification in USPC [R-07.2022]
- 903.02(a) [Reserved]
- 903.02(b) Scope of a Class in the USPC [R-07.2015]
- 903.03 Availability of Foreign Patents [R-07.2022]
- 903.04 Classifying Applications for Publication as a Plant Patent Application Publication in USPC [R-07.2022]
- 903.05 Addition, Deletion, or Transfer of U.S. Design Patents by USPC Classification [R-07.2022]
- 903.06 Harmonized Subclasses [R-07.2015]
- 903.07 Classifying and Cross-Referencing Design and Plant Applications at Allowance [R-07.2022]
- 903.07(a) Cross-Referencing Design and Plant Applications â Keep Systematic Notes During Prosecution [R-07.2022]
- 903.08 [Reserved]
- 903.08(a) [Reserved]
- 903.08(b) [Reserved]
- 903.08(c) [Reserved]
- 903.08(d) [Reserved]
- 903.08(e) [Reserved]
- 903.09 [Reserved]
- 903.09(a) [Reserved]
- 904 How to Search [R-07.2022]
- 904.01 Analysis of Claims [R-08.2012]
- 904.01(a) Variant Embodiments Within Scope of Claim [R-07.2022]
- 904.01(b) Equivalents [R-08.2012]
- 904.01(c) Analogous Arts [R-08.2012]
- 904.02 General Search Guidelines [R-07.2022]
- 904.02(a) Classified Search [R-07.2022]
- 904.02(b) Search Tool Selection [R-07.2015]
- 904.02(c) Internet Searching [R-07.2022]
- 904.03 Conducting the Search [R-07.2022]
- 904.04 Search of Related Post-Grant Proceedings [R-07.2022]
- 905 Cooperative Patent Classification [R-07.2015]
- 905.01 Classification Scheme for CPC [R-07.2015]
- 905.01(a) CPC Titles [R-07.2015]
- 905.01(a)(1) References within CPC Titles [R-07.2015]
- 905.01(a)(2) Notes Found in CPC schemes [R-07.2015]
- 905.01(a)(3) Warnings Found in CPC schemes [R-07.2015]
- 905.01(a)(4) Guidance Headings Found in CPC Schemes [R-07.2015]
- 905.02 CPC Definitions [R-07.2015]
- 905.03 Classifying in CPC [R-10.2019]
- 905.03(a) The CPC Database [R-07.2022]
- 905.03(b) Approach to classification in CPC [R-07.2022]
- 905.03(c) Combination Sets [R-07.2015]
- 906 International Classification of Patents for Inventions [R-07.2015]
- 907 Locarno Classification Designations [R-07.2015]
- 908 [reserved]
- 909 Routing and Docketing of Applications [R-07.2022]
- 909.01 Assignment, Transfer and Classification Challenges under Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) [R-07.2022]
- 909.01(a) New Applications in CPC [R-07.2022]
- 909.01(b) Classification and Assignment to Examiner in CPC [R-07.2022]
- 909.01(c) Immediate Inspection of Amendments [R-07.2022]
- 909.01(d) Classification Challenge Procedure in CPC [R-07.2022]
- 909.02 Applications: Assignment and Transfer in USPC [R-07.2022]
- 909.02(a) New Design and Plant Patent Applications under 35 U.S.C. 161 [R-07.2022]
- 909.02(b) Classification and Assignment to Examiner [R-07.2022]
- 909.02(c) [Reserved]
- 909.02(d) Transfer Procedure [R-07.2022]
- 909.02(e) General Guidelines Governing the Assignment of Nonprovisional Design and Plant Applications for Examination [R-07.2022]
MPEP Chapter 1000
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]
- 1002.02(c)(3) Petitions and Requests Decided by the Director of Technology Center 2900 [R-07.2015]
- 1002.02(c)(4) Petitions Decided in the Central Reexamination Unit [R-08.2017]
- 1002.02(d) Petitions and Matters Decided by Supervisory Patent Examiners [R-08.2017]
- 1002.02(e) [Reserved]
- 1002.02(f) Petitions and Matters Decided by the Chief Administrative Patent Judge of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board [R-07.2015]
- 1002.02(g) Petitions Decided by the Administrative Patent Judges [R-07.2015]
- 1002.02(h) [Reserved]
- 1002.02(i) Petitions Decided by the Commissioner for Trademarks [R-08.2012]
- 1002.02(j) Petitions Decided by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board [R-07.2015]
- 1002.02(k) Matters Decided by the General Counsel, the Office of General Law and the Solicitor [R-07.2022]
- 1002.02(k)(1) Petitions and Matters Decided by the General Counsel [R-07.2015]
- 1002.02(k)(2) Requests Decided by the Office of General Law [R-07.2015]
- 1002.02(k)(3) Petitions Decided by the Solicitor [R-08.2012]
- 1002.02(l) Requests Decided by the Certificates of Correction Branch [R-07.2015]
- 1002.02(m) Petitions Decided by the Director of the Office of Enrollment and Discipline [R-07.2015]
- 1002.02(n) [Reserved]
- 1002.02(o) Petitions and Other Matters Decided by the Deputy Director of the USPTO [R-07.2015]
- 1002.02(p) Petitions and Matters Decided by the Director of International Patent Legal Administration [R-07.2015]
- 1002.02(q) Petitions and Requests Decided by the Director of Office of Patent Application Processing (OPAP) [R-07.2015]
- 1002.02(r) Petitions Decided by the Director of Office of Data Management [R-07.2015]
- 1002.02(s) Petitions and Matters Decided in the Technology Centers [R-07.2015]
- 1002.02(t) Requests Decided by the Deputy Commissioner for Patents who oversees the Office of Patent Information Management [R-07.2022]
- 1003 Matters Submitted to Technology Center Directors [R-07.2022]
- 1004 Actions Which Require the Attention of a Primary Examiner [R-10.2019]
- 1005 Exceptions to Partial Signatory Authority [R-07.2015]
MPEP Chapter 1100
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]
- 1128 Availability of Published Applications [R-07.2022]
- 1129 Request for Early Publication [R-11.2013]
- 1130 Republication and Correction of Patent Application Publications [R-07.2022]
- 1131 [Reserved]
- 1132 Requests for Redacted Publication [R-08.2012]
- 1133 Voluntary Publication [R-08.2012]
- 1134 Third Party Inquiries and Correspondence in a Published Application [R-11.2013]
- 1134.01 Third Party Submissions Under 37 CFR 1.290 [R-07.2022]
- 1135 PGPub Forms [R-11.2013]
MPEP Chapter 1200
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]
- 1205.02 Appeal Brief Content [R-07.2022]
- 1205.03 Non-Compliant Appeal Brief and Amended Brief [R-10.2019]
- 1206 Amendments and Affidavits or Other Evidence Filed With or After Appeal [R-08.2017]
- 1207 Examinerâs Answer [R-11.2013]
- 1207.01 Appeal Conference [R-10.2019]
- 1207.02 Contents of Examinerâs Answer [R-07.2022]
- 1207.03 New Ground of Rejection in Examinerâs Answer [R-10.2019]
- 1207.03(a) Determining Whether a Ground of Rejection is New [R-08.2017]
- 1207.03(b) Petition to Designate a New Ground of Rejection and to Reopen Prosecution [R-10.2019]
- 1207.03(c) Appellant's Reply to New Grounds of Rejection [R-08.2017]
- 1207.04 Reopening of Prosecution After Appeal [R-11.2013]
- 1207.05 Substitute Examinerâs Answer [R-11.2013]
- 1208 Reply Briefs and Fee for Forwarding Appeal [R-11.2013]
- 1208.01 Fee for Forwarding an Appeal to the Board [R-07.2022]
- 1209 Oral Hearing [R-07.2022]
- 1210 Actions Subsequent to Examinerâs Answer but Before Boardâs Decision [R-10.2019]
- 1211 Remand by Director or Board [R-08.2017]
- 1211.01 Remand by Board for Further Consideration of Rejection [R-11.2013]
- 1211.02 Remand To Consider Amendment [R-11.2013]
- 1211.03 Remand To Consider Affidavits or Declarations [R-11.2013]
- 1211.04 Remand by Board for Further Search [R-08.2012]
- 1212 Board Requires Appellant to Address Matter [R-08.2017]
- 1213 Decision by Board [R-11.2013]
- 1213.01 [Reserved] [R-]
- 1213.02 New Grounds of Rejection by Board [R-11.2013]
- 1213.03 Publication of and Public Access to Board Decision [R-11.2013]
- 1214 Procedure Following Decision by Board [R-07.2022]
- 1214.01 Procedure Following New Ground of Rejection by Board [R-07.2022]
- 1214.02 [Reserved] [R-]
- 1214.03 Rehearing [R-10.2019]
- 1214.04 Examiner Reversed in Whole [R-08.2017]
- 1214.05 Cancellation of Claims Not Appealed [R-11.2013]
- 1214.06 Examiner Sustained in Whole or in Part; Claims Require Action [R-07.2022]
- 1214.07 Reopening of Prosecution [R-11.2013]
- 1215 Withdrawal or Dismissal of Appeal [R-11.2013]
- 1215.01 Withdrawal of Appeal [R-10.2019]
- 1215.02 Claims Standing Allowed [R-08.2012]
- 1215.03 Partial Withdrawal [R-11.2013]
- 1215.04 Dismissal of Appeal [R-10.2019]
- 1216 Judicial Review [R-11.2013]
- 1216.01 Appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit [R-07.2022]
- 1216.02 Civil Suits Under 35 U.S.C. 145 and 146 [R-07.2022]
MPEP Chapter 1300
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]
- 1302.04(e) Cancellation of Rejected Claims Following Appeal [R-10.2019]
- 1302.04(f) [Reserved]
- 1302.04(g) Identification of Claims [R-07.2015]
- 1302.04(h) Rejoinder of Claims [R-08.2012]
- 1302.05 Correction of Drawing [R-10.2019]
- 1302.06 Prior Foreign Application [R-07.2015]
- 1302.07 [Reserved]
- 1302.08 Interference Search [R-07.2022]
- 1302.09 Classification, Print Figure, and Other Notations [R-07.2022]
- 1302.10 Issue Classification Notations [R-10.2019]
- 1302.11 [Reserved]
- 1302.12 Listing of References [R-07.2015]
- 1302.13 Signing [R-07.2015]
- 1302.14 Reasons for Allowance [R-10.2019]
- 1303 Notice of Allowance [R-07.2015]
- 1303.01 Amendment Received After Allowance [R-07.2015]
- 1303.02 Undelivered [R-07.2015]
- 1303.03 Not Withheld Due to Death of Inventor [R-07.2015]
- 1304 Amendments After D-10 Notice [R-08.2012]
- 1304.01 Withholding From Issue of âSecrecy Orderâ Applications [R-08.2012]
- 1305 Jurisdiction [R-07.2022]
- 1306 Issue Fee [R-10.2019]
- 1306.01 Deferring Issuance of a Patent [R-10.2019]
- 1306.02 Simultaneous Issuance of Patents [R-08.2012]
- 1306.03 Practice After Payment of Issue Fee; Receipt of Issue Notification [R-10.2019]
- 1307 Change in Classification of Cases Which Are in Issue [R-07.2015]
- 1308 Withdrawal From Issue [R-07.2022]
- 1308.01 Rejection After Allowance [R-10.2019]
- 1308.02 For Interference or Derivation Purposes [R-07.2015]
- 1308.03 Quality Review Program for Examined Patent Applications [R-07.2022]
- 1309 Issue of Patent [R-07.2022]
- 1309.01 [Reserved]
- 1309.02 âPrinter Rushâ Cases [R-07.2022]
MPEP Chapter 1400
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]
- 1411.01 Certificate of Correction or Disclaimer in Original Patent [R-08.2012]
- 1411.02 New Matter [R-10.2019]
- 1412 Content of Claims [R-08.2012]
- 1412.01 Reissue Claims Must Be for Same General Invention [R-07.2022]
- 1412.02 Recapture of Canceled Subject Matter [R-07.2022]
- 1412.03 Broadening Reissue Claims [R-10.2019]
- 1412.04 Correction of Inventorship By Reissue [R-11.2013]
- 1412.05 Correction of Inventorship in a Broadening Reissue Application [R-08.2017]
- 1413 Drawings [R-11.2013]
- 1414 Content of Reissue Oath/Declaration [R-07.2022]
- 1414.01 Reissue Oath or Declaration in Reissue Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012 [R-08.2017]
- 1414.02 Reissue Oath or Declaration in Reissue Application Filed Before September 16, 2012 [R-08.2017]
- 1414.03 Supplemental Reissue Oath/Declaration [R-08.2017]
- 1415 Reissue Application and Issue Fees [R-07.2022]
- 1415.01 Maintenance Fees on the Original Patent [R-07.2022]
- 1416 No Physical Surrender of Original Patent [R-10.2019]
- 1417 Claim for Priority Under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d) [R-07.2022]
- 1418 Notification of Prior/Concurrent Proceedings and Decisions Thereon, and of Information Known To Be Material to Patentability [R-08.2017]
- 1430 Reissue Files Open to the Public and, Notice of Filing Reissue Announced in, Official Gazette [R-08.2017]
- 1440 Examination of Reissue Application [R-08.2017]
- 1441 Two-Month Delay Period [R-08.2012]
- 1441.01 Protest and Pre-issuance Submission in Reissue Applications [R-10.2019]
- 1442 Special Status [R-08.2017]
- 1442.01 Litigation-Related or PTAB Trial-Related Reissues [R-08.2017]
- 1442.02 Concurrent Litigation or Trial Before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board [R-08.2017]
- 1442.03 Litigation Stayed [R-08.2017]
- 1442.04 Litigation Involving Patent [R-08.2017]
- 1442.05 Court Ordered Filing of Reissue Application [R-10.2019]
- 1443 Initial Examiner Review [R-07.2022]
- 1444 Review of Reissue Oath/Declaration [R-10.2019]
- 1445 Reissue Application Examined in Same Manner as Original Application [R-11.2013]
- 1448 Fraud, Inequitable Conduct, or Duty of Disclosure Issues [R-08.2017]
- 1449 Protest Filed in Reissue Where Patent Is in Interference or Contested Case [R-08.2017]
- 1449.01 Concurrent Office Proceedings [R-08.2017]
- 1449.02 Interference in Reissue [R-08.2017]
- 1449.03 Reissue Application in Derivation Proceeding [R-08.2017]
- 1450 Restriction and Election of Species Made in Reissue Application [R-10.2019]
- 1451 Divisional Reissue Applications; Continuation Reissue Applications Where the Parent is Pending [R-07.2022]
- 1452 Request for Continued Examination of Reissue Application [R-08.2017]
- 1453 Amendments to Reissue Applications [R-07.2022]
- 1454 Appeal Brief [R-11.2013]
- 1455 Allowance and Issue [R-07.2022]
- 1456 Reissue Review [R-07.2022]
- 1457 Design Reissue Applications and Patents [R-07.2022]
- 1460 Effect of Reissue [R-08.2017]
- 1470 Public Access to Reissue Applications [R-10.2019]
- 1480 Certificates of Correction â Office Mistake [R-07.2022]
- 1480.01 Expedited Issuance of Certificates of Correction - Error Attributable to Office [R-07.2022]
- 1481 Certificates of Correction - Applicantâs Mistake [R-07.2022]
- 1481.01 Correction of Assigneesâ Names [R-07.2022]
- 1481.02 Correction of Named Inventor [R-07.2022]
- 1481.03 Correction of 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35 U.S.C. 120 Benefits [R-07.2022]
- 1485 Handling of Request for Certificates of Correction [R-07.2022]
- 1490 Disclaimers [R-07.2022]
MPEP Chapter 1500
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]
- 1504.01(c) Lack of Ornamentality [R-07.2015]
- 1504.01(d) Simulation [R-08.2012]
- 1504.01(e) Offensive Subject Matter [R-07.2015]
- 1504.02 Novelty [R-07.2022]
- 1504.03 Nonobviousness [R-07.2022]
- 1504.04 Considerations Under 35 U.S.C. 112 [R-07.2022]
- 1504.05 Restriction [R-08.2017]
- 1504.06 Double Patenting [R-07.2022]
- 1504.07 - 1504.09 [Reserved]
- 1504.10 Priority Under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), 386(a) and (b) [R-08.2017]
- 1504.11-1504.19 [Reserved]
- 1504.20 Benefit Under 35 U.S.C. 120 [R-10.2019]
- 1504.21-1504.29 [Reserved]
- 1504.30 Expedited Examination [R-07.2022]
- 1505 Term of Design Patent [R-08.2017]
- 1509 Reissue of a Design Patent [R-11.2013]
- 1510 Reexamination [R-08.2012]
- 1511 Protest [R-08.2012]
- 1512 Relationship Between Design Patent, Copyright, and Trademark [R-07.2022]
- 1513 Miscellaneous [R-11.2013]
MPEP Chapter 1600
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]
- 1611 Issue [R-11.2013]
- 1612 UPOV Convention [R-11.2013]
- 1613 Right of Priority Based upon Application for Plant Breederâs Rights [R-08.2012]
MPEP Chapter 1700
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]
MPEP Chapter 1800
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]
- 1811 [Reserved]
- 1812 Elements of the International Application [R-07.2022]
- 1817 PCT Member States [R-07.2015]
- 1818 [Reserved]
- 1819 Earlier Search [R-08.2012]
- 1820 Signature of Applicant [R-08.2017]
- 1821 The Request [R-07.2022]
- 1822 [Reserved]
- 1823 The Description [R-07.2022]
- 1823.01 Reference to Deposited Biological Material [R-07.2015]
- 1823.02 Filing Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Listings in International Applications [R-07.2022]
- 1824 The Claims [R-07.2015]
- 1825 The Drawings [R-08.2017]
- 1826 The Abstract [R-08.2017]
- 1827 Fees [R-07.2015]
- 1827.01 Refund of International Application Fees [R-07.2022]
- 1828 Priority Claim and Document [R-07.2015]
- 1828.01 Restoration of the Right of Priority [R-07.2022]
- 1828.02 Continuation or Continuation-in-Part Indication in the Request [R-07.2022]
- 1829 [Reserved]
- 1830 International Application Transmittal Letter [R-07.2015]
- 1831 [Reserved]
- 1832 License Request for Foreign Filing Under the PCT [R-07.2022]
- 1833 [Reserved]
- 1834 Correspondence [R-08.2017]
- 1834.01 Filing of Correspondence by Facsimile [R-07.2015]
- 1834.02 Irregularities in the Mail or Electronic Communications Service [R-07.2022]
- 1835 [Reserved]
- 1836 Rectification of Obvious Mistakes [R-07.2015]
- 1840 The International Searching Authority [R-07.2022]
- 1840.01 The European Patent Office as an International Searching Authority [R-10.2019]
- 1840.02 The Korean Intellectual Property Office as an International Searching Authority [R-10.2019]
- 1840.03 The Australian Patent Office (IP Australia) as an International Searching Authority [R-10.2019]
- 1840.04 The Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) (Russian Federation) as an International Searching Authority [R-10.2019]
- 1840.05 The Israel Patent Office (ILPO) as an International Searching Authority [R-10.2019]
- 1840.06 The Japan Patent Office (JPO) as an International Searching Authority [R-10.2019]
- 1840.07 The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) as an International Searching Authority [R-10.2019]
- 1841 [Reserved]
- 1842 Basic Flow Under the PCT [R-10.2019]
- 1843 The International Search [R-07.2015]
- 1843.01 Prior Art for Chapter I Processing [R-10.2019]
- 1843.02 Certain Subject Matter Need Not Be Searched [R-07.2022]
- 1843.03 No Search Required if Claims Are Unclear [R-07.2022]
- 1843.04 Procedure for Claims Not Required To Be Searched and for Claims That Are Unclear [R-07.2015]
- 1843.05 Time Limit for Establishing the International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority [R-07.2015]
- 1844 The International Search Report [R-07.2015]
- 1844.01 Preparing the International Search Report (Form PCT/ISA/210) [R-07.2022]
- 1845 Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority [R-07.2015]
- 1845.01 Preparing the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority (Form PCT/ISA/237) [R-07.2022]
- 1845.02 Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority, or the Declaration (Form PCT/ISA/220) [R-07.2022]
- 1848 Sequence Listings [R-07.2022]
- 1849 [Reserved]
- 1850 Unity of Invention Before the International Searching Authority [R-07.2022]
- 1851 Identification of Patent Documents [R-07.2015]
- 1852 Taking Into Account Results of Earlier Search(es) [R-07.2015]
- 1853 Amendment Under PCT Article 19 [R-10.2019]
- 1856 Supplementary International Searches [R-10.2019]
- 1857 International Publication [R-07.2022]
- 1858 [Reserved]
- 1859 Withdrawal of International Application, Designations, or Priority Claims [R-10.2019]
- 1860 International Preliminary Examination Procedure [R-08.2017]
- 1861 [Reserved]
- 1862 Agreement With the International Bureau To Serve as an International Preliminary Examining Authority [R-07.2015]
- 1863 [Reserved]
- 1864 The Demand and Preparation for Filing of Demand [R-07.2015]
- 1864.01 Amendments Filed Under PCT Article 34 [R-07.2015]
- 1864.02 Applicantâs Right To File a Demand [R-07.2015]
- 1864.03 States Which May Be Elected [R-07.2015]
- 1864.04 Agentâs Right To Act [R-08.2012]
- 1865 Filing of Demand [R-07.2022]
- 1866 [Reserved]
- 1867 Preliminary Examination Fees [R-07.2015]
- 1868 Correction of Defects in the Demand [R-07.2015]
- 1869 Notification to International Bureau of Demand [R-08.2012]
- 1870 Priority Document and Translation Thereof [R-08.2012]
- 1871 Processing Amendments Filed Under Article 19 and Article 34 Prior to or at the Start of International Preliminary Examination [R-07.2022]
- 1872 Availability of the International Application File for International Preliminary Examination by the Examining Corps [R-08.2012]
- 1873 [Reserved]
- 1874 Determination if International Preliminary Examination Is Required and Possible [R-07.2015]
- 1875 Unity of Invention Before the International Preliminary Examining Authority [R-07.2015]
- 1875.01 Preparation of Invitation Concerning Unity [R-07.2015]
- 1875.02 Reply to Invitation Concerning Lack of Unity of Invention [R-07.2022]
- 1876 Notation of Errors and Informalities by the Examiner [R-07.2015]
- 1876.01 Request for Rectification and Notification of Action Thereon [R-07.2015]
- 1877 Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Listings During the International Preliminary Examination [R-07.2022]
- 1878 Preparation of the Written Opinion of the International Preliminary Examining Authority [R-07.2022]
- 1878.01 Includes Subsections Regarding Prior Art, Novelty, Inventive Step, and Industrial Applicability for Purposes of the Written Opinion and the International Preliminary Examination Report [R-07.2022]
- 1878.01(a) Prior Art for Purposes of the Written Opinion and the International Preliminary Examination Report [R-10.2019]
- 1878.01(a)(1) Novelty for Purposes of the Written Opinion and the International Preliminary Examination Report [R-08.2012]
- 1878.01(a)(2) Inventive Step for Purposes of the Written Opinion and the International Preliminary Examination Report [R-08.2012]
- 1878.01(a)(3) Industrial Applicability for Purposes of the Written Opinion and the International Preliminary Examination Report [R-08.2012]
- 1878.02 Reply to the Written Opinion of the ISA or IPEA [R-07.2015]
- 1879 Preparation of the International Preliminary Examination Report [R-07.2022]
- 1879.01 Time Limit for Preparing Report [R-10.2019]
- 1879.02 Transmittal of the International Preliminary Examination Report and Related Documents [R-07.2022]
- 1879.03 Translations [R-07.2015]
- 1879.04 Confidential Nature of the Report [R-07.2015]
- 1880 Withdrawal of Demand or Election [R-07.2015]
- 1881 Receipt of Notice of Election and Preliminary Examination Report by the United States Patent and Trademark Office [R-07.2015]
- 1893 National Stage (U.S. National Application Filed Under 35 U.S.C. 371) [R-07.2022]
- 1893.01 Commencement and Entry [R-07.2015]
- 1893.01(a) Entry via the U.S. Designated or Elected Office [R-07.2022]
- 1893.01(a)(1) Submissions Required by 30 Months from the Priority Date [R-07.2022]
- 1893.01(a)(2) Article 19 Amendment (Filed With the International Bureau) [R-10.2019]
- 1893.01(a)(3) Article 34 Amendments (Filed with the International Preliminary Examining Authority) [R-07.2022]
- 1893.01(a)(4) Claim Amendment (Filed With the U.S. Designated or Elected Office) [R-10.2019]
- 1893.01(b) Applicant for a U.S. National Stage Application [R-07.2022]
- 1893.01(c) Fees [R-07.2022]
- 1893.01(d) Translation [R-07.2022]
- 1893.01(e) Inventorâs Oath or Declaration [R-07.2022]
- 1893.02 Abandonment [R-07.2022]
- 1893.03 Prosecution of U.S. National Stage Applications Before the Examiner [R-07.2015]
- 1893.03(a) How To Identify That an Application Is a U.S. National Stage Application [R-07.2022]
- 1893.03(b) The Filing Date of a U.S. National Stage Application [R-07.2022]
- 1893.03(c) The Priority Date, Priority Claim, and Priority Papers for a U.S. National Stage Application [R-10.2019]
- 1893.03(d) Unity of Invention [R-07.2022]
- 1893.03(e) Documents Received from the International Bureau and Placed in a U.S. National Stage Application File [R-07.2022]
- 1893.03(e)(1) Title of the Invention [R-08.2012]
- 1893.03(f) Drawings and PCT Rule 11 [R-07.2022]
- 1893.03(g) Information Disclosure Statement in a National Stage Application [R-07.2015]
- 1894 [Reserved]
- 1895 A Continuation, Divisional, or Continuation- in- Part Application of a PCT Application Designating the United States [R-07.2015]
- 1895.01 Handling of and Considerations in the Handling of Continuations, Divisions, and Continuations-In-Part of PCT Applications [R-07.2022]
- 1896 The Differences Between a National Application Filed Under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) and a National Stage Application Submitted Under 35 U.S.C. 371 [R-07.2015]
MPEP Chapter 1900
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]
- 1907 Unauthorized Participation by Protestor [R-10.2019]
- 1920 Citation of Prior Art Under 37 CFR 1.501(a) [R-10.2019]
MPEP Chapter 2000
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]
- 2001.06(b) Information Relating to or From Copending United States Patent Applications [R-08.2017]
- 2001.06(c) Information From Related Litigation and/or Trial Proceedings [R-08.2017]
- 2001.06(d) Information Relating to Claims Copied From a Patent [R-08.2017]
- 2001.06(e) Information Relating to Regulatory Review [R-07.2022]
- 2002 Disclosure â By Whom and How Made [R-08.2012]
- 2002.01 By Whom Made [R-08.2012]
- 2002.02 Must be in Writing [R-07.2022]
- 2003 Disclosure __ When Made [R-07.2022]
- 2003.01 Disclosure After Patent Is Granted [R-07.2022]
- 2004 Aids to Compliance With Duty of Disclosure [R-07.2022]
- 2005 Comparison to Requirements for Information [R-07.2022]
- 2010 Office Handling of Duty of Disclosure/Inequitable Conduct Issues [R-08.2017]
- 2011 Correction of Errors in Application [R-07.2022]
- 2012 Reissue Applications Involving Issues of Fraud, Inequitable Conduct, and/or Violation of Duty of Disclosure [R-08.2017]
- 2012.01 Collateral Estoppel [R-08.2017]
- 2013 Protests Involving Issues of Fraud, Inequitable Conduct, and/or Violation of Duty of Disclosure [R-08.2017]
- 2014 Duty of Disclosure in Reexamination Proceedings and Supplemental Examination [R-08.2017]
- 2015 Duties of Disclosure and Reasonable Inquiry Arise in Dealings With Other Government Agencies [R-07.2022]
- 2016 Fraud, Inequitable Conduct, or Violation of Duty of Disclosure Affects All Claims [R-08.2017]
- 2022 Â Â [Reserved]
- 2022.01â2022.04 [Reserved]
- 2022.05 Â Â Determination of âError Without Any Deceptive Intentionâ [R-08.2012]
MPEP Chapter 2100
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]
- 2106.04(a)(1) Examples of Claims That Do Not Recite Abstract Ideas [R-10.2019]
- 2106.04(a)(2) Abstract Idea Groupings [R-07.2022]
- 2106.04(a)(3) Tentative Abstract Ideas [R-10.2019]
- 2106.04(b) Laws of Nature, Natural Phenomena & Products of Nature [R-10.2019]
- 2106.04(c) The Markedly Different Characteristics Analysis [R-07.2022]
- 2106.04(d) Integration of a Judicial Exception Into A Practical Application [R-07.2022]
- 2106.04(d)(1) Evaluating Improvements in the Functioning of a Computer, or an Improvement to Any Other Technology or Technical Field in Step 2A Prong Two [R-10.2019]
- 2106.04(d)(2) Particular Treatment and Prophylaxis in Step 2A Prong Two [R-07.2022]
- 2106.05 Eligibility Step 2B: Whether a Claim Amounts to Significantly More [R-07.2022]
- 2106.05(a) Improvements to the Functioning of a Computer or To Any Other Technology or Technical Field [R-07.2022]
- 2106.05(b) Particular Machine [R-07.2022]
- 2106.05(c) Particular Transformation [R-07.2022]
- 2106.05(d) Well-Understood, Routine, Conventional Activity [R-07.2022]
- 2106.05(e) Other Meaningful Limitations [R-10.2019]
- 2106.05(f) Mere Instructions To Apply An Exception [R-10.2019]
- 2106.05(g) Insignificant Extra-Solution Activity [R-10.2019]
- 2106.05(h) Field of Use and Technological Environment [R-10.2019]
- 2106.06 Streamlined Analysis [R-10.2019]
- 2106.06(a) Eligibility is Self Evident [R-08.2017]
- 2106.06(b) Clear Improvement to a Technology or to Computer Functionality [R-08.2017]
- 2106.07 Formulating and Supporting Rejections For Lack Of Subject Matter Eligibility [R-10.2019]
- 2106.07(a) Formulating a Rejection For Lack of Subject Matter Eligibility [R-07.2022]
- 2106.07(a)(1) Form Paragraphs for use in Lack of Subject Matter Eligibility Rejections [R-10.2019]
- 2106.07(b) Evaluating Applicantâs Response [R-10.2019]
- 2106.07(c) Clarifying the Record [R-08.2017]
- 2107 Guidelines for Examination of Applications for Compliance with the Utility Requirement [R-11.2013]
- 2107.01 General Principles Governing Utility Rejections [R-07.2022]
- 2107.02 Procedural Considerations Related to Rejections for Lack of Utility [R-07.2022]
- 2107.03 Special Considerations for Asserted Therapeutic or Pharmacological Utilities [R-08.2012]
- 2108 [Reserved]
- 2109 Inventorship [R-07.2022]
- 2110 [Reserved]
- 2111 Claim Interpretation; Broadest Reasonable Interpretation [R-10.2019]
- 2111.01 Plain Meaning [R-07.2022]
- 2111.02 Effect of Preamble [R-07.2022]
- 2111.03 Transitional Phrases [R-07.2022]
- 2111.04 âAdapted to,â âAdapted for,â âWherein,â âWhereby,â and Contingent Clauses [R-10.2019]
- 2111.05 Functional and Nonfunctional Descriptive Material [R-07.2022]
- 2112 Requirements of Rejection Based on Inherency; Burden of Proof [R-07.2022]
- 2112.01 Composition, Product, and Apparatus Claims [R-10.2019]
- 2112.02 Process Claims [R-07.2022]
- 2113 Product-by-Process Claims [R-07.2022]
- 2114 Apparatus and Article Claims â Functional Language [R-07.2015]
- 2115 Material or Article Worked Upon by Apparatus [R-07.2015]
- 2116 Novel, Nonobvious Starting Material or End Product [R-07.2022]
- 2116.01 Novel, Nonobvious Starting Material or End Product [R-10.2019]
- 2117 Markush Claims [R-07.2022]
- 2120 Rejection on Prior Art [R-10.2019]
- 2120.01 Rejections Under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and (a)(2) and Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a), (b), or (e): Printed Publication or Patent [R-10.2019]
- 2120.02 Rejections Under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a) or (b): Knowledge by Others, or Public Use, or On Sale [R-07.2022]
- 2121 Prior Art; General Level of Operability Required to Make a Prima Facie Case [R-08.2017]
- 2121.01 Use of Prior Art in Rejections Where Operability is in Question [R-07.2022]
- 2121.02 Compounds and Compositions â What Constitutes Enabling Prior Art [R-07.2022]
- 2121.03 Plant Genetics â What Constitutes Enabling Prior Art [R-10.2019]
- 2121.04 Apparatus and Articles â What Constitutes Enabling Prior Art [R-10.2019]
- 2122 Discussion of Utility in the Prior Art [R-08.2017]
- 2123 Rejection Over Prior Artâs Broad Disclosure Instead of Preferred Embodiments [R-07.2022]
- 2124 Exception to the Rule That the Reference Must be Prior Art [R-07.2022]
- 2124.01 Tax Strategies Deemed Within the Prior Art [R-07.2022]
- 2125 Drawings as Prior Art [R-10.2019]
- 2126 Availability of a Document as a âPatentâ for Purposes of Rejection Under 35 U.S.C. 102(a) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a), (b), and (d) [R-08.2017]
- 2126.01 Date of Availability of a Patent as a Reference [R-11.2013]
- 2126.02 Scope of Referenceâs Disclosure Which Can Be Used to Reject Claims When the Reference Is a âPatentâ but Not a âPublicationâ [R-11.2013]
- 2127 Domestic and Foreign Patent Applications as Prior Art [R-10.2019]
- 2128 âPrinted Publicationsâ as Prior Art [R-07.2022]
- 2128.01 Level of Public Accessibility Required [R-07.2022]
- 2128.02 Date Publication Is Available as a Reference [R-10.2019]
- 2129 Admissions as Prior Art [R-07.2022]
- 2130 [Reserved]
- 2131 Anticipation â Application of 35Â U.S.C. 102 [R-08.2017]
- 2131.01 Multiple Reference 35 U.S.C. 102 Rejections [R-07.2022]
- 2131.02 Genus-Species Situations [R-07.2022]
- 2131.03 Anticipation of Ranges [R-10.2019]
- 2131.04 Secondary Considerations [R-08.2012]
- 2131.05 Nonanalogous or Disparaging Prior Art [R-08.2012]
- 2132 Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a) [R-10.2019]
- 2132.01 Overcoming a Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a) Rejection based on a Printed Publication or Patent [R-10.2019]
- 2133 Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) [R-07.2022]
- 2133.01 Rejections of Continuation-In-Part (CIP) Applications [R-10.2019]
- 2133.02 Rejections Based on Publications and Patents [R-11.2013]
- 2133.02(a) Overcoming a Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) Rejection Based on a Printed Publication or Patent [R-10.2019]
- 2133.03 Rejections Based on âPublic Useâ or âOn Saleâ [R-07.2022]
- 2133.03(a) âPublic Useâ [R-07.2022]
- 2133.03(b) âOn Saleâ [R-07.2022]
- 2133.03(c) The âInventionâ [R-07.2022]
- 2133.03(d) âIn This Countryâ [R-10.2019]
- 2133.03(e) Permitted Activity; Experimental Use [R-07.2022]
- 2133.03(e)(1) Commercial Exploitation [R-07.2022]
- 2133.03(e)(2) Intent [R-07.2022]
- 2133.03(e)(3) âCompletenessâ of the Invention [R-07.2022]
- 2133.03(e)(4) Factors Indicative of an Experimental Purpose [R-07.2022]
- 2133.03(e)(5) Experimentation and Degree of Supervision and Control [R-07.2022]
- 2133.03(e)(6) Permitted Experimental Activity and Testing [R-07.2022]
- 2133.03(e)(7) Activity of an Independent Third Party Inventor [R-07.2022]
- 2134 Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(c) [R-10.2019]
- 2135 Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(d) [R-10.2019]
- 2135.01 The Four Requirements of Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(d) [R-10.2019]
- 2136 Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) [R-10.2019]
- 2136.01 Status of Unpublished or Published as Redacted U.S. Application as a Reference Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) [R-10.2019]
- 2136.02 Content of the Prior Art Available Against the Claims [R-10.2019]
- 2136.03 Critical Reference Date [R-10.2019]
- 2136.04 Different Inventive Entity; Meaning of âBy Anotherâ [R-10.2019]
- 2136.05 Overcoming a Rejection Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) [R-10.2019]
- 2136.05(a) Antedating a Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) Reference [R-10.2019]
- 2136.05(b) Showing The Reference Is Describing An Inventor's Or At Least One Joint Inventor's Own Work [R-07.2022]
- 2137 Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(f) [R-10.2019]
- 2137.01 [Reserved]
- 2137.02 [Reserved]
- 2138 Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g) [R-07.2022]
- 2138.01 Interference Practice [R-07.2022]
- 2138.02 âThe Invention Was Made in This Countryâ [R-07.2022]
- 2138.03 âBy Another Who Has Not Abandoned, Suppressed, or Concealed Itâ [R-10.2019]
- 2138.04 âConceptionâ [R-10.2019]
- 2138.05 âReduction to Practiceâ [R-07.2022]
- 2138.06 âReasonable Diligenceâ [R-07.2022]
- 2139 Rejections Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 [R-10.2019]
- 2139.01 Effective Filing Date of a Claimed Invention Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 [R-10.2019]
- 2139.02 Determining Whether To Apply Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a), (b), or (e) [R-07.2022]
- 2139.03 Form Paragraphs for Use in Rejections Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 [R-07.2022]
- 2140 [Reserved]
- 2141 Examination Guidelines for Determining Obviousness Under 35 U.S.C. 103 [R-07.2022]
- 2141.01 Scope and Content of the Prior Art [R-07.2022]
- 2141.01(a) Analogous and Nonanalogous Art [R-07.2022]
- 2141.02 Differences Between Prior Art and Claimed Invention [R-07.2022]
- 2141.03 Level of Ordinary Skill in the Art [R-07.2022]
- 2142 Legal Concept of Prima Facie Obviousness [R-07.2022]
- 2143 Examples of Basic Requirements of a Prima Facie Case of Obviousness [R-07.2022]
- 2143.01 Suggestion or Motivation To Modify the References [R-07.2022]
- 2143.02 Reasonable Expectation of Success Is Required [R-07.2022]
- 2143.03 All Claim Limitations Must Be Considered [R-07.2022]
- 2144 Supporting a Rejection Under 35 U.S.C. 103 [R-07.2015]
- 2144.01 Implicit Disclosure [R-10.2019]
- 2144.02 Reliance on Scientific Theory [R-08.2012]
- 2144.03 Reliance on Common Knowledge in the Art or âWell Knownâ Prior Art [R-07.2022]
- 2144.04 Legal Precedent as Source of Supporting Rationale [R-07.2022]
- 2144.05 Obviousness of Similar and Overlapping Ranges, Amounts, and Proportions [R-07.2022]
- 2144.06 Art Recognized Equivalence for the Same Purpose [R-08.2012]
- 2144.07 Art Recognized Suitability for an Intended Purpose [R-08.2012]
- 2144.08 Obviousness of Species When Prior Art Teaches Genus [R-07.2022]
- 2144.09 Close Structural Similarity Between Chemical Compounds (Homologs, Analogues, Isomers) [R-07.2022]
- 2145 Consideration of Applicantâs Rebuttal Arguments and Evidence [R-07.2022]
- 2146 Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(c) [R-07.2022]
- 2146.01 Prior Art Disqualification Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(c) [R-07.2022]
- 2146.02 Establishing Common Ownership or Joint Research Agreement Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(c) [R-07.2022]
- 2146.03 Examination Procedure With Respect to Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(c) [R-10.2019]
- 2146.03(a) Provisional Rejection (Obviousness) Under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) Using Provisional Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) [R-07.2022]
- 2147 Biotechnology Process Applications; Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(b) [R-10.2019]
- 2148 Form Paragraphs for Use in Rejections Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 [R-07.2022]
- 2149 [Reserved]
- 2150 Examination Guidelines for 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 as Amended by the First Inventor To File Provisions of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act [R-11.2013]
- 2151 Overview of the Changes to 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 in the AIA [R-07.2022]
- 2152 Detailed Discussion of AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a) and (b) [R-11.2013]
- 2152.01 Effective Filing Date of the Claimed Invention [R-07.2022]
- 2152.02 Prior Art Under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) (Patented, Described in a Printed Publication, or in Public Use, on Sale, or Otherwise Available to the Public) [R-08.2017]
- 2152.02(a) Patented [R-11.2013]
- 2152.02(b) Described in a Printed Publication [R-11.2013]
- 2152.02(c) In Public Use [R-07.2022]
- 2152.02(d) On Sale [R-07.2022]
- 2152.02(e) Otherwise Available to the Public [R-10.2019]
- 2152.02(f) No Requirement of âBy Othersâ [R-11.2013]
- 2152.03 Admissions [R-11.2013]
- 2152.04 The Meaning of âDisclosureâ [R-11.2013]
- 2152.05 Determining Whether To Apply 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) or 102(a)(2) [R-07.2022]
- 2152.06 Overcoming a 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) or 102(a)(2) Rejection [R-07.2022]
- 2152.07 Form Paragraphs for Use in Rejections Under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 [R-07.2022]
- 2153 Prior Art Exceptions Under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) [R-07.2022]
- 2153.01 Prior Art Exception Under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1)(A) To AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) (Grace Period Inventor-Originated Disclosure Exception) [R-07.2022]
- 2153.01(a) Grace Period Inventor-Originated Disclosure Exception [R-07.2022]
- 2153.01(b) [Reserved]
- 2153.02 Prior Art Exception Under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1)(B) to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) (Inventor-Originated Prior Public Disclosure Exception) [R-07.2022]
- 2154 Provisions Pertaining to Subject Matter in a U.S. Patent or Application Effectively Filed Before the Effective Filing Date of the Claimed Invention [R-11.2013]
- 2154.01 Prior Art Under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) âU.S. Patent Documentsâ [R-11.2013]
- 2154.01(a) WIPO Published Applications [R-11.2013]
- 2154.01(b) Determining When Subject Matter Was Effectively Filed Under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(d) [R-10.2019]
- 2154.01(c) Requirement Of âNames Another Inventorâ [R-11.2013]
- 2154.01(d) Provisional Rejections Under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2); Reference Is a Copending U.S. Patent Application [R-07.2022]
- 2154.02 Prior Art Exceptions Under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2) to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) [R-07.2022]
- 2154.02(a) Prior Art Exception Under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(A) to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) (Inventor-Originated Disclosure Exception) [R-07.2022]
- 2154.02(b) Prior Art Exception Under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(B) to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) (Inventor-Originated Prior Public Disclosure Exception) [R-07.2022]
- 2154.02(c) Prior Art Exception Under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) (Common Ownership or Obligation of Assignment) [R-07.2022]
- 2155 Use of Affidavits or Declarations Under 37 CFR 1.130 To Overcome Prior Art Rejections [R-07.2022]
- 2155.01 Showing That the Disclosure Was Made by the Inventor or a Joint Inventor [R-07.2022]
- 2155.02 Showing That the Subject Matter Disclosed Had Been Previously Publicly Disclosed by the Inventor or a Joint Inventor [R-07.2022]
- 2155.03 Showing That the Disclosure was Made, or That Subject Matter had Been Previously Publicly Disclosed, by Another Who Obtained the Subject Matter Disclosed Directly or Indirectly From the Inventor or a Joint Inventor [R-11.2013]
- 2155.04 Enablement [R-11.2013]
- 2155.05 Who May File an Affidavit or Declaration Under 37 CFR 1.130 [R-07.2022]
- 2155.06 Situations in Which an Affidavit or Declaration Is Not Available [R-10.2019]
- 2156 Joint Research Agreements [R-07.2022]
- 2157 Improper Naming of Inventors [R-10.2019]
- 2158 AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 [R-07.2022]
- 2158.01 Form Paragraphs for Use in Rejections Under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 [R-07.2022]
- 2159 Applicability Date Provisions and Determining Whether an Application Is Subject to the First Inventor To File Provisions of the AIA [R-11.2013]
- 2159.01 Applications Filed Before March 16, 2013 [R-11.2013]
- 2159.02 Applications Filed on or After March 16, 2013 [R-11.2013]
- 2159.03 Applications Subject to the AIA but Also Containing a Claimed Invention Having an Effective Filing Date Before March 16, 2013 [R-11.2013]
- 2159.04 Applicant Statement in Transition Applications Containing a Claimed Invention Having an Effective Filing Date on or After March 16, 2013 [R-11.2013]
- 2160 [Reserved]
- 2161 Three Separate Requirements for Specification Under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, First Paragraph [R-07.2015]
- 2161.01 Computer Programming, Computer Implemented Inventions, and 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or Pre-AIA 35Â U.S.C. 112, First Paragraph [R-07.2022]
- 2162 Policy Underlying 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, First Paragraph [R-08.2017]
- 2163 Guidelines for the Examination of Patent Applications Under the 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or Pre-AIA 35Â U.S.C. 112, first paragraph, âWritten Descriptionâ Requirement [R-07.2022]
- 2163.01 Support for the Claimed Subject Matter in Disclosure [R-11.2013]
- 2163.02 Standard for Determining Compliance With the Written Description Requirement [R-07.2022]
- 2163.03 Typical Circumstances Where Adequate Written Description Issue Arises [R-07.2022]
- 2163.04 Burden on the Examiner with Regard to the Written Description Requirement [R-11.2013]
- 2163.05 Changes to the Scope of Claims [R-07.2022]
- 2163.06 Relationship of Written Description Requirement to New Matter [R-07.2022]
- 2163.07 Amendments to Application Which Are Supported in the Original Description [R-08.2017]
- 2163.07(a) Inherent Function, Theory, or Advantage [R-07.2022]
- 2163.07(b) Incorporation by Reference [R-11.2013]
- 2164 The Enablement Requirement [R-11.2013]
- 2164.01 Test of Enablement [R-08.2012]
- 2164.01(a) Undue Experimentation Factors [R-08.2012]
- 2164.01(b) How to Make the Claimed Invention [R-08.2012]
- 2164.01(c) How to Use the Claimed Invention [R-08.2017]
- 2164.02 Working and Prophetic Examples [R-07.2022]
- 2164.03 Relationship of Predictability of the Art and the Enablement Requirement [R-07.2022]
- 2164.04 Burden on the Examiner Under the Enablement Requirement [R-08.2017]
- 2164.05 Determination of Enablement Based on Evidence as a Whole [R-07.2022]
- 2164.05(a) Specification Must Be Enabling as of the Filing Date [R-07.2022]
- 2164.05(b) Specification Must Be Enabling to Persons Skilled in the Art [R-07.2022]
- 2164.06 Quantity of Experimentation [R-07.2022]
- 2164.06(a) Examples of Enablement Issues-Missing Information [R-08.2017]
- 2164.06(b) Examples of Enablement Issues â Biological and Chemical Cases [R-10.2019]
- 2164.06(c) Examples of Enablement Issues â Computer Programming Cases [R-10.2019]
- 2164.07 Relationship of Enablement Requirement to Utility Requirement of 35 U.S.C. 101 [R-11.2013]
- 2164.08 Enablement Commensurate in Scope With the Claims [R-07.2022]
- 2164.08(a) Single Means Claim [R-11.2013]
- 2164.08(b) Inoperative Subject Matter [R-08.2012]
- 2164.08(c) Critical Feature Not Claimed [R-08.2012]
- 2165 The Best Mode Requirement [R-08.2017]
- 2165.01 Considerations Relevant to Best Mode [R-07.2022]
- 2165.02 Best Mode Requirement Compared to Enablement Requirement [R-07.2022]
- 2165.03 Requirements for Rejection for Lack of Best Mode [R-11.2013]
- 2165.04 Examples of Evidence of Concealment [R-07.2022]
- 2166 Rejections Under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, First Paragraph [R-10.2019]
- 2171 Two Separate Requirements for Claims Under 35 U.S.C. 112 (b) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, Second Paragraph [R-11.2013]
- 2172 Subject Matter Which the Inventor or a Joint Inventor Regards as The Invention [R-07.2022]
- 2172.01 Unclaimed Essential Subject Matter [R-07.2022]
- 2173 Claims Must Particularly Point Out and Distinctly Claim the Invention [R-10.2019]
- 2173.01 Interpreting the Claims [R-10.2019]
- 2173.02 Determining Whether Claim Language is Definite [R-07.2022]
- 2173.03 Correspondence Between Specification and Claims [R-07.2022]
- 2173.04 Breadth Is Not Indefiniteness [R-10.2019]
- 2173.05 Specific Topics Related to Issues Under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, Second Paragraph [R-11.2013]
- 2173.05(a) New Terminology [R-07.2022]
- 2173.05(b) Relative Terminology [R-07.2022]
- 2173.05(c) Numerical Ranges and Amounts Limitations [R-11.2013]
- 2173.05(d) Exemplary Claim Language (âfor example,â âsuch asâ) [R-07.2015]
- 2173.05(e) Lack of Antecedent Basis [R-08.2017]
- 2173.05(f) Reference to Limitations in Another Claim [R-11.2013]
- 2173.05(g) Functional Limitations [R-07.2022]
- 2173.05(h) Alternative Limitations [R-10.2019]
- 2173.05(i) Negative Limitations [R-07.2022]
- 2173.05(j) Old Combination [R-11.2013]
- 2173.05(k) Aggregation [R-08.2012]
- 2173.05(l) [Reserved]
- 2173.05(m) Prolix [R-08.2012]
- 2173.05(n) Multiplicity [R-11.2013]
- 2173.05(o) Double Inclusion [R-08.2012]
- 2173.05(p) Claim Directed to Product-By- Process or Product and Process [R-07.2022]
- 2173.05(q) âUseâ Claims [R-10.2019]
- 2173.05(r) Omnibus Claim [R-10.2019]
- 2173.05(s) Reference to Figures or Tables [R-10.2019]
- 2173.05(t) Chemical Formula [R-11.2013]
- 2173.05(u) Trademarks or Trade Names in a Claim [R-07.2022]
- 2173.05(v) Mere Function of Machine [R-11.2013]
- 2173.06 Practice Compact Prosecution [R-07.2022]
- 2174 Relationship Between the Requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112(a) and (b) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, First and Second Paragraphs [R-11.2013]
- 2175 Form Paragraphs for Use in Rejections Under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, Second Paragraph [R-07.2022]
- 2181 Identifying and Interpreting a 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, Sixth Paragraph Limitation [R-07.2022]
- 2182 Search and Identification of the Prior Art [R-08.2017]
- 2183 Making a Prima Facie Case of Equivalence [R-07.2022]
- 2184 Determining Whether an Applicant Has Met the Burden of Proving Nonequivalence After a Prima Facie Case Is Made [R-11.2013]
- 2185 Related Issues Under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or (b) and Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, First or Second Paragraphs [R-10.2019]
- 2186 Relationship to the Doctrine of Equivalents [R-07.2022]
- 2187 Form Paragraphs for Use Relating to 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, Sixth Paragraph [R-07.2022]
- 2190 Prosecution Laches and Res Judicata [R-07.2022]
MPEP Chapter 2200
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]
- 2211 Time for Requesting Ex Parte Reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-07.2015]
- 2212 Persons Who May File a Request for Ex Parte Reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-07.2015]
- 2212.01 Inquiries from Persons Other Than the Patent Owner [R-11.2013]
- 2213 Representative of Requester [R-07.2015]
- 2214 Content of Request for Ex Parte Reexamination Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-07.2022]
- 2215 Fee for Requesting Ex Parte Reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-10.2019]
- 2216 Substantial New Question of Patentability [R-07.2015]
- 2217 Statement Applying Prior Art in a Request Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-07.2015]
- 2218 Copies of Prior Art [R-07.2015]
- 2219 Copy of Printed Patent [R-07.2015]
- 2220 Certificate of Service [R-07.2015]
- 2221 Amendments Included in Request Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 by Patent Owner [R-07.2015]
- 2222 Address of Patent Owner [R-07.2022]
- 2223 Withdrawal of Attorney or Agent [R-10.2019]
- 2224 Correspondence [R-07.2022]
- 2225 Untimely Paper Filed Prior to Order under 35 U.S.C. 304 [R-07.2015]
- 2226 Initial Processing of Request for Ex Parte Reexamination Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-07.2015]
- 2227 Incomplete Request for Ex Parte Reexamination Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-10.2017]
- 2228 [Reserved]
- 2229 Notice of Request under 35 U.S.C. 302 for Ex Parte Reexamination in Official Gazette [R-07.2022]
- 2230 Constructive Notice to Patent Owner [R-07.2015]
- 2231 Processing of Request Corrections [R-07.2015]
- 2232 Public Access to Reexaminations Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-07.2022]
- 2232.01 Determining if a Reexamination Request Was Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 for a Patent [R-07.2022]
- 2233 Processing in Central Reexamination Unit and Technology Center [R-10.2019]
- 2234 Entry of Amendments [R-07.2022]
- 2235 Record Systems [R-07.2022]
- 2236 Assignment of Reexamination [R-10.2019]
- 2237 Transfer Procedure [R-07.2015]
- 2238 Time Reporting [R-11.2013]
- 2239 Reexamination Ordered at the Directorâs Initiative [R-07.2022]
- 2240 Decision on Request Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-07.2015]
- 2241 Time for Deciding Request Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-07.2015]
- 2242 Criteria for Deciding Request Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-10.2019]
- 2243 Claims Considered in Deciding Request Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-07.2015]
- 2244 Prior Art on Which the Determination Is Based in Requests Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-07.2015]
- 2245 Processing of Decision [R-07.2015]
- 2246 Decision Ordering Reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 304 [R-07.2022]
- 2247 Decision under 35 U.S.C. 303 on Request for Reexamination filed Under 35 U.S.C. 302, Request Denied [R-07.2022]
- 2247.01 Examples of Decisions on Request for Reexamination [R-11.2013]
- 2248 Petition From Denial of Request Filed Under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-08.2017]
- 2249 Patent Ownerâs Statement in Reexaminations Filed Under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-08.2017]
- 2250 Amendment by Patent Owner [R-07.2022]
- 2250.01 Correction of Patent Drawings [R-07.2015]
- 2250.02 Correction of Inventorship [R-07.2015]
- 2250.03 Fees for Adding Claims and for Filing a Petition [R-07.2015]
- 2251 Reply by Third Party Requester [R-08.2012]
- 2252 Consideration of Statement and Reply [R-11.2013 ]
- 2253 Consideration by Examiner [R-07.2015]
- 2254 Conduct of Ex Parte Reexamination Proceedings [R-07.2015]
- 2255 Who Reexamines [R-07.2015]
- 2256 Prior Art Patents and Printed Publications Reviewed by Examiner in Reexamination [R-07.2022]
- 2257 Listing of Prior Art [R-07.2022]
- 2258 Scope of Ex Parte Reexamination [R-10.2019]
- 2258.01 Use of Previously Cited/Considered Art in Rejections [R-07.2022]
- 2258.02 Claiming Foreign Priority and Domestic Benefit in Reexamination [R-08.2017]
- 2259 Res Judicata and Collateral Estoppel in Reexamination Proceedings [R-10.2019]
- 2260 Office Actions [R-07.2015]
- 2260.01 Dependent Claims [R-07.2015]
- 2261 Special Status for Action [R-07.2015]
- 2262 Form and Content of Office Action [R-08.2017]
- 2263 Time for Response [R-07.2015]
- 2264 Mailing of Office Action [R-07.2022]
- 2265 Extension of Time [R-07.2015]
- 2266 Responses [R-10.2019]
- 2266.01 Submission Not Fully Responsive to Non-Final Office Action [R-08.2017]
- 2266.02 Examiner Issues Notice of Defective Paper in Ex Parte Reexamination [R-07.2015]
- 2266.03 Service of Papers [R-08.2017]
- 2267 Handling of Inappropriate or Untimely Filed Papers [R-10.2019]
- 2268 Petition for Entry of Late Papers for Revival of Reexamination Proceeding [R-07.2015]
- 2269 Reconsideration [R-08.2012]
- 2270 Clerical Handling [R-07.2015]
- 2271 Final Action [R-07.2015]
- 2271.01 Panel Review [R-10.2019]
- 2272 After Final Practice [R-07.2015]
- 2273 Appeal in Ex Parte Reexamination [R-07.2015]
- 2274 Appeal Brief [R-10.2019]
- 2275 Examinerâs Answer [R-08.2017]
- 2276 Oral Hearing [R-08.2012]
- 2277 Board Decision [R-11.2013]
- 2278 Action Following Decision [R-08.2017]
- 2279 Appeal to Courts [R-10.2019]
- 2280 Information Material to Patentability in Reexamination Proceeding Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-08.2017]
- 2281 Interviews in Ex Parte Reexamination Proceedings [R-07.2015]
- 2282 Notification of Existence of Prior or Concurrent Proceedings and Decisions Thereon [R-07.2015]
- 2283 Multiple Copending Ex Parte Reexamination Proceedings [R-07.2015]
- 2284 Copending Ex Parte Reexamination and Interference Proceedings [R-10.2019]
- 2285 Copending Ex Parte Reexamination and Reissue Proceedings [R-07.2015]
- 2286 Ex Parte Reexamination and Litigation Proceedings [R-10.2019]
- 2286.01 Reexamination and Inter Partes Review Proceedings, Post-Grant Review, and Covered Business Method Patent Review [R-07.2015]
- 2287 Conclusion of Ex Parte Reexamination Proceeding [R-07.2022]
- 2287.01 Examiner Consideration of Submissions After a NIRC [R-07.2015]
- 2288 Issuance of Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate [R-08.2017]
- 2289 Reexamination Review [R-07.2015]
- 2290 Format of Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate [R-07.2022]
- 2291 Notice of Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate Issuance in Official Gazette [R-07.2015]
- 2292 Distribution of Certificate [R-08.2012]
- 2293 Intervening Rights [R-11.2013]
- 2294 Concluded Reexamination Proceedings [R-07.2015]
- 2295 Reexamination of a Reexamination [R-07.2015]
- 2296 USPTO Forms To Be Used In Ex Parte Reexamination [R-07.2015]
MPEP Chapter 2300
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]
- 2304.01 [Reserved]
- 2304.01(a) Interference Search [R-10.2019]
- 2304.01(b) Obtaining Control Over Involved Files [R-08.2017]
- 2304.01(c) Translation of Foreign Benefit Application [R-08.2012]
- 2304.01(d) Sorting Claims [R-08.2017]
- 2304.02 Applicant Suggestion [R-10.2019]
- 2304.02(a) Identifying the Other Application or Patent [R-08.2012]
- 2304.02(b) Counts and Corresponding Claims [R-08.2017]
- 2304.02(c) Explaining Priority [R-08.2017]
- 2304.02(d) Adequate Written Description [R-08.2017]
- 2304.03 Patentee Suggestion [R-08.2017]
- 2304.04 Examiner Suggestion [R-08.2012]
- 2304.04(a) Interfering Claim Already in Application [R-08.2017]
- 2304.04(b) Requiring a Claim [R-10.2019]
- 2304.04(c) Rejections Based on Disclaimer [R-10.2019]
- 2304.05 Common Ownership [R-08.2012]
- 2305 Requiring a Priority Showing [R-08.2017]
- 2306 Secrecy Order Cases [R-08.2017]
- 2307 Action During an Interference [R-08.2017]
- 2307.01 Ex Parte Communications [R-08.2017]
- 2307.02 Access to Related Files [R-08.2012]
- 2307.03 Suspension of Related Examinations [R-08.2017]
- 2307.04 Additional Parties to Interference [R-08.2017]
- 2307.05 Board Action on Related Files [R-08.2012]
- 2307.06 Action at the Board [R-08.2017]
- 2308 Action After an Interference [R-10.2019]
- 2308.01 Final Disposal of Claims [R-08.2012]
- 2308.02 Added or Amended Claims [R-08.2017]
- 2308.03 Estoppel Within the Office [R-08.2017]
- 2308.03(a) Losing Party [R-08.2012]
- 2308.03(b) No Interference-in-Fact [R-08.2012]
- 2308.03(c) No Second Interference [R-08.2017]
- 2308.04 Office Procedure Following Decision by the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit [R-10.2019]
- 2309 National Aeronautics and Space Administration or Department of Energy [R-08.2017]
- 2310 Derivation Proceedings [R-08.2017]
- 2310.01 Statutory Basis [R-08.2017]
- 2310.02 Definitions [R-08.2017]
- 2311 Consult a Technology Center Practice Specialist [R-08.2017]
- 2312 Board May Assume Jurisdiction [R-08.2017]
- 2313 Action Once a Derivation Proceeding is Instituted [R-08.2017]
- 2314 Action at the Board [R-08.2017]
- 2315 Action After a Derivation Proceeding is Decided [R-08.2017]
MPEP Chapter 2400
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]
- 2406 Time of Making an Original Deposit [R-07.2015]
- 2406.01 Description in Application Specification [R-07.2015]
- 2406.02 Deposit After Filing Date - Corroboration [R-08.2012]
- 2406.03 Possible Loss of U.S. Filing Date in Other Countries [R-07.2015]
- 2407 Replacement or Supplement of Deposit [R-08.2012]
- 2407.01 In a Pending Application [R-07.2015]
- 2407.02 After a Patent Has Issued [R-07.2015]
- 2407.03 Failure to Replace [R-08.2012]
- 2407.04 Treatment of Replacement [R-08.2012]
- 2407.05 Exemption From Replacement [R-08.2012]
- 2407.06 Replacement May Not Be Recognized [R-07.2015]
- 2408 Term of Deposit [R-07.2022]
- 2409 Viability of Deposit [R-07.2015]
- 2410 Furnishing of Samples [R-08.2012]
- 2410.01 Conditions of Deposit [R-07.2015]
- 2410.02 Certification of Statement of Availability of Deposit [R-07.2015]
- 2411 Examination Procedures [R-07.2015]
- 2411.01 Rejections Based on Deposit Issue [R-07.2015]
- 2411.02 Replies to Rejections Based on Deposit Issue [R-07.2015]
- 2411.03 Application in Condition for Allowance Except for Deposit [R-07.2015]
- 2411.04 [Reserved]
- 2411.05 Content of Application with Respect to Deposited Material [R-08.2012]
- 2412 The Requirements for Patent Applications Containing Nucleotide Sequence and/or Amino Acid Sequence Disclosures to Include a Sequence Listing in XML file format [R-07.2022]
- 2412.01 Overview of the Sequence Rules [R-07.2022]
- 2412.02 Definition of âSequence Listing XMLâ [R-07.2022]
- 2412.02(a) âEnumeration of its residuesâ [R-07.2022]
- 2412.03 Nucleotides and Amino Acids Included and Excluded From a âSequence Listing XMLâ [R-07.2022]
- 2412.03(a) âSpecifically Definedâ [R-07.2022]
- 2412.03(b) âAmino Acidâ [R-07.2022]
- 2412.03(c) âModified Amino Acidâ [R-07.2022]
- 2412.03(d) âNucleotideâ [R-07.2022]
- 2412.03(e) âModified Nucleotideâ [R-07.2022]
- 2412.04 Use of Sequence Identifiers to Denote Sequences Disclosed in the Description or Claims [R-07.2022]
- 2412.05 Representation and Symbols for Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequences [R-07.2022]
- 2412.05(a) Use of Sequentially Numbered Sequence Identifiers in the âSequence Listing XMLâ [R-07.2022]
- 2412.05(b) Representation and Symbols of Nucleotide Sequence Data [R-07.2022]
- 2412.05(c) Representation and Inclusion of Variants [R-07.2022]
- 2412.05(d) Representation and Symbols of Amino Acid Sequence Data [R-07.2022]
- 2412.05(e) Presentation of Special Situations [R-07.2022]
- 2412.06 The Requirement for Exclusive Conformance; Sequences Presented in Drawing Figures [R-07.2022]
- 2412.07 Examination of Patent Applications Claiming Large Numbers of Nucleotide Sequences [R-07.2022]
- 2413 Content of âSequence Listing XMLâ and Form and Format of the âSequence Listing XMLâ File [R-07.2022]
- 2413.01 Parts of the âSequence Listing XMLâ [R-07.2022]
- 2413.01(a) The âSequence Listing XMLâ is a Single File Encoded Using Unicode UTF-8 [R-07.2022]
- 2413.01(b) The âSequence Listing XMLâ Must Be Valid According To the DTD [R-07.2022]
- 2413.01(c) The âSequence Listing XMLâ Must Contain an XML Declaration [R-07.2022]
- 2413.01(d) The âSequence Listing XMLâ Must Contain a DOCTYPE Declaration [R-07.2022]
- 2413.01(e) The âSequence Listing XMLâ Must Contain a Root Element [R-07.2022]
- 2413.01(f) The âSequence Listing XMLâ Must Contain a General Information Part [R-07.2022]
- 2413.01(g) The âSequence Listing XMLâ Must Contain a Sequence Data Part [R-07.2022]
- 2413.01(h) Language Dependent Free Text Qualifiers in the English Language [R-07.2022]
- 2413.01(i) Title Element in âSequence Listing XMLâ [R-07.2022]
- 2413.02 Form and Format of the XML file containing the âSequence Listing XMLâ [R-07.2022]
- 2413.03 How to Submit the âSequence Listing XMLâ [R-07.2022]
- 2413.04 Requirements Regarding Incorporation By Reference of the âSequence Listing XMLâ [R-07.2022]
- 2413.05 Presumptions Regarding Compliance [R-07.2022]
- 2414 Notification of a Failure to Comply with Sequence Listing Requirements and Amendments Relating to âSequence Listing XMLâ Files Under 37 CFR 1.835 [R-07.2022]
- 2414.01 Issuance of a Notice Relating to the Requirements For Patent Applications Containing Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Disclosures [R-07.2022]
- 2414.02 Amendment to Add an Initial âSequence Listing XMLâ under 37 CFR 1.835(a) [R-07.2022]
- 2414.03 Amendment Adding to, Deleting from, or Replacing Sequence Information in a âSequence Listing XMLâ under 37 CFR 1.835(b) [R-07.2022]
- 2414.04 Translation of âSequence Listing XMLâ is Not an Amended âSequence Listing XMLâ under 37 CFR 1.835(b) [R-07.2022]
- 2414.05 Notifications for Failure to Submit a âSequence Listing XMLâ in an International Application under the PCT to be Searched by the United States International Searching Authority or Examined by International Preliminary Examination Authority [R-07.2022]
- 2414.06 Compliance with âSequence Listing XMLâ for Any Amendment to a Patent [R-07.2022]
- 2415 Applicability date of âSequence Listing XMLâ Requirements to Applications Based on Filing Date of Application and Procedures for Failure to Submit Correct Format of Sequence Listing [R-07.2022]
- 2415.01 Determining when a Sequence Listing in XML format must be submitted [R-07.2022]
- 2415.02 Provisional Applications Containing Disclosures of Nucleotides and/or Amino Acids, Compliance with 37 CFR 1.831-1.834 [R-07.2022]
- 2415.03 Improper Submissions of âSequence Listingâ under 1.821(c)(1)-(3) When a âSequence Listing XMLâ was Required [R-07.2022]
- 2416 Form Paragraphs [R-07.2022]
- 2417 [Reserved] [R-07.2022]
- 2418 WIPO Sequence Tool [R-07.2022]
- 2419 Publishing of Patent Grants and Patent Application Publications with a âSequence Listing XMLâ [R-07.2022]
- 2419.01 Patent Grants and Patent Application Publications Containing a Non-Lengthy âSequence Listing XMLâ [R-07.2022]
- 2419.02 Patent Grants and Patent Application Publications Containing a Lengthy âSequence Listing XMLâ [R-07.2022]
- 2419.03 Patent Grants and Patent Application Publications Containing a âSequence Listing XMLâ of 1GB or Larger [R-07.2022]
- 2420 The Requirements for Patent Applications Containing Nucleotide Sequence and/or Amino Acid Sequence Disclosures under World Intellectual Property Office Standard ST.25 (WIPO ST.25) - the Sequence Rules [R-07.2022]
- 2421 Overview of the Sequence Rules under WIPO ST.25 [R-07.2022]
- 2421.01 Definition of âSequence Listingâ and Computer Readable Form (CRF) [R-07.2022]
- 2421.02 Summary of the Requirements of the Sequence Rules [R-07.2022]
- 2421.03 Notification of a Failure to Comply [R-07.2022]
- 2421.04 [Reserved]
- 2422 Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Disclosures in Patent Applications Subject to WIPO ST.25 [R-07.2022]
- 2422.01 Nucleotide and/or Amino Acids Disclosures Requiring a âSequence Listingâ [R-07.2022]
- 2422.02 The Requirement for Exclusive Conformance; Sequences Presented in Drawing Figures [R-07.2022]
- 2422.03 Sequence Listing Submission [R-07.2022]
- 2422.03(a) âSequence Listingâ Submitted as ASCII Plain Text Files [R-07.2022]
- 2422.04 The Requirement for a Computer Readable Copy of the âSequence Listingâ [R-07.2022]
- 2422.05 [Reserved]
- 2422.06 Requirement for Statement Regarding Information Contained in the âSequence Listingâ and Separate Computer Readable Form [R-07.2022]
- 2422.07 Requirements for Compliance and Consequences of Non-Compliance [R-07.2022]
- 2422.08 Presumptions Regarding Compliance [R-07.2022]
- 2422.09 [Reserved]
- 2423 Symbols and Format To Be Used for Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Data for WIPO ST.25 [R-07.2022]
- 2423.01 Format and Symbols To Be Used in a âSequence Listingâ [R-07.2022]
- 2423.02 Depiction of Coding Regions [R-07.2022]
- 2423.03 Presentation and Numbering of Sequences [R-07.2022]
- 2424 Requirements for Content of a âSequence Listingâ Part of the Specification under WIPO ST.25. [R-07.2022]
- 2424.01 Informational Requirements for the âSequence Listingâ [R-07.2022]
- 2424.02 âSequence Listingâ Numeric Identifiers [R-07.2022]
- 2424.03 Additional Miscellaneous Requirements [R-07.2022]
- 2425 Form and Format for a Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Submission as an ASCII Plain Text File under WIPO ST.25 [R-07.2022]
- 2426 Amendments to Add or Replace a âSequence Listingâ and CRF Copy Thereof Subject to WIPO ST. 25 [R-07.2022]
- 2427 Form Paragraphs for Applications Subject to WIPO ST.25 [R-07.2022]
- 2428 Sample Statements under WIPO ST.25 [R-07.2022]
- 2429 Helpful Hints for Sequence Rules Compliance under WIPO ST.25 [R-07.2022]
- 2430 PatentIn Information [R-07.2022]
- 2431 Sample âSequence Listingâ under WIPO ST.25 [R-07.2022]
- 2432 [Reserved]
- 2433 Box Sequence; Hand Delivery of a âSequence Listingâ and Computer Readable Forms [R-07.2022]
- 2434 Examination of Patent Applications Claiming Large Numbers of Nucleotide Sequences [R-07.2022]
- 2435 Publishing of Patents and Patent Application Publications with a Lengthy âSequence Listingâ [R-07.2022]
MPEP Chapter 2500
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]
- 2531 Payment Late or Insufficient [R-07.2015]
- 2532 Duplicate Payments [R-08.2017]
- 2540 Fee Address for Maintenance Fee Purposes [R-08.2017]
- 2541 [Reserved]
- 2542 Change of Correspondence Address [R-07.2015]
- 2550 Entity Status Discounts [R-07.2022]
- 2560 Revocation of Power of Attorney and Withdrawal of Attorney [R-07.2015]
- 2570 Maintenance Fee Payment Status Requests [R-08.2017]
- 2575 Notices [R-07.2015]
- 2580 Review of Decision Refusing to Accept and Record Payment of a Maintenance Fee Filed Prior to Expiration of Patent [R-10.2019]
- 2590 Acceptance of Delayed Payment of Maintenance Fee in Expired Patent to Reinstate Patent [R-07.2022]
- 2591 Intervening Rights in Reinstated Patents [R-08.2012]
- 2595 Forms [R-07.2022]
MPEP Chapter 2600
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]
- 2616 Substantial New Question of Patentability/Reasonable Likelihood That Requester Will Prevail [R-11.2013]
- 2617 Statement in the Request Applying Prior Art [R-11.2013]
- 2618 Copies of Prior Art (Patents and Printed Publications) [R-11.2013]
- 2619 Copy of Printed Patent [R-11.2013]
- 2620 Certificate of Service [R-11.2013]
- 2621 [Reserved]
- 2622 Address of Patent Owner [R-10.2019]
- 2623 Withdrawal of Attorney or Agent [R-10.2019]
- 2624 Correspondence [R-10.2019]
- 2625 Untimely Paper Filed Prior to First Office Action [R-07.2015]
- 2626 Initial Processing of Request for Inter Partes Reexamination [R-11.2013]
- 2627 Incomplete Request for Inter Partes Reexamination [R-07.2015]
- 2628 [Reserved]
- 2629 Notice of Request for Inter Partes Reexamination in Official Gazette [R-11.2013]
- 2630 Constructive Notice to Patent Owner [R-07.2015]
- 2631 Processing of Request Corrections [R-07.2015]
- 2632 Public Access [R-07.2015]
- 2632.01 Determining If a Reexamination Request Was Filed for a Patent [R-07.2015]
- 2633 [Reserved]
- 2634 Fee Processing and Procedure [R-07.2015]
- 2635 Record Systems [R-07.2015]
- 2636 Assignment of Reexamination [R-07.2015]
- 2637 [Reserved]
- 2638 Time Reporting [R-11.2013]
- 2639 [Reserved]
- 2640 Decision on Request [R-07.2015]
- 2641 Time for Deciding Request [R-07.2015]
- 2642 Criteria for Deciding Request [R-07.2015]
- 2643 Claims Considered in Deciding Request [R-07.2015]
- 2644 Prior Art on Which the Determination Is Based [R-11.2013]
- 2645 [Reserved]
- 2646 Decision Ordering Reexamination [R-07.2015]
- 2647 Decision Denying Reexamination [R-07.2015]
- 2647.01 Examples of Decisions on Requests [R-11.2013]
- 2647.02 Processing of Decision [R-07.2015]
- 2648 Petition From Denial of Request [R-07.2015]
- 2654 Conduct of Inter Partes Reexamination Proceedings [R-07.2015]
- 2655 Who Reexamines [R-07.2015]
- 2656 Prior Art Patents and Printed Publications Reviewed by Examiner in Reexamination [R-07.2015]
- 2657 Listing of Prior Art [R-07.2015]
- 2658 Scope of Inter Partes Reexamination  [R-10.2019]
- 2659 Res Judicata and Collateral Estoppel in Reexamination Proceedings [R-07.2015]
- 2660 First Office Action [R-07.2015]
- 2660.01 [Reserved]
- 2660.02 The Title [R-08.2012]
- 2660.03 Dependent Claims [R-07.2015]
- 2661 Special Status for Action [R-07.2015]
- 2662 Time for Response and Comments [R-07.2015]
- 2663 [Reserved]
- 2664 Mailing of Office Action [R-07.2015]
- 2665 Extension of Time for Patent Owner Response [R-07.2015]
- 2666 Patent Owner Response to Office Action [R-07.2015]
- 2666.01 Amendment by Patent Owner [R-10.2019]
- 2666.02 Correction of Patent Drawings [R-11.2013]
- 2666.03 Correction of Inventorship [R-08.2012]
- 2666.04 Fees for Adding Claims [R-10.2019]
- 2666.05 Third Party Comments After Patent Owner Response [R-07.2015]
- 2666.06 Service of Papers [R-08.2012]
- 2666.07-2666.09 [Reserved]
- 2666.10 Patent Owner Does Not Respond to Office Action [R-11.2013]
- 2666.11 - 2666.19 [Reserved]
- 2666.20 Third Party Does Not Comment After Patent Owner Response [R-07.2015]
- 2666.21 - 2666.29 [Reserved]
- 2666.30 Submission Not Fully Responsive to Non-final Office Action [R-07.2015]
- 2666.31 - 2666.39 [Reserved]
- 2666.40 Patent Owner Completion of Response and Third Party Comments Thereon [R-07.2015]
- 2666.41-2666.49 [Reserved]
- 2666.50 Examiner Issues Notice of Defective Paper in Inte