MPEP Subject Matter Index (A) – Subject Matter Index

A4 size paper (See alsoPaper size) 608.01; 608.02; 1825
A.I. series of patents (See alsoPatent) 901.04
Abandoned application (See alsoAbandonment)
1. Accessibility to public 103; 711.04
2. Counting, when processed 711.04(a)
3. Definition 203.05
4. Failure to provide timely notice of foreign filing when nonpublication requested 1124
5. Fee on petition to revive 711.03(c)
6. Issue fee, failure to pay 711.03(c)
7. Ordering 711.04(b); 905.03
8. Papers received, handling 508.02
9. Provisional application 201.04; 211.01(a)
10. Reference use 901.02; 2127; 2136.02
11. Referred to in issued patent 103
12. Revival 711.03(c); 1893.02
  1. Provisional application 711.03(c)
13. Storage 711.04(b)
14. When open to the public 103
Abandoned file (SeeAbandoned application and Abandonment)
Abandoned files repository 711.04(b); 901.01(a)
Abandonment (See alsoAbandoned application) 711
1. After allowance 711.05
2. After payment of issue fee 711.01
3. Amendment late 711.02; 714.17
4. Appeal dismissal 1215.04
5. Appeal withdrawal 1215.01 - 1215.03
6. Change of address 711.03(c)
7. Counted as a disposal 1705
8. Date of 711.04(a)
9. Destroys continuity 211.01; 211.01(b)
10. Express 711; 711.01
  1. Continued prosecution application (CPA) 201.06(d)
  2. Issue fee paid 711.01; 711.05
11. Failure to file property rights statement 150
12. Failure to pay issue fee 711.03(c)
13. Failure to prosecute 711.02
14. Failure to provide timely notice of foreign filing after non-publication request 1124
15. Formal 711; 711.01
16. Incomplete reply 711.03(a)
17. No reply 711; 711.02
18. Notification of 711.02; 711.04(c)
19. Of appeal 1210
20. Of invention 2134; 2138.03
21. Papers received after 508.02
22. Petition to revive 711.03(c); 711.04(c); 1002.02(b); 1002.02(f); 1002.02(p)
23. Petition to withdraw holding of examiner’s statement 711.03(c); 711.03(d)
24. Prior application 201.06(c)
25. Provisional application 201.04; 211.01(a)
26. Pulling 711.04(a)
27. Reconsideration 711.03; 711.03(c)
  1. Failure to respond 711.03(b)
  2. Insufficiency of response 711.03(a)
28. Reissue
  1. Return of surrendered patent 1416
29. Revival 711.03; 711.03(c)
30. Shortened statutory period expired 710.02(d); 711.04(a)
31. Special situations 711.02(b)
32. Termination of proceedings 211.01(a); 211.01(b); 711.02(c)
33. Undelivered action 707.13
34. Unintentional (See alsoPetition) 711.03(c); 1124
35. Withdrawal of holding 711.03(c)
Abbreviation, periodical citation 707.05(e)
Abbreviature and abstract publication 711.06
1. Citation 711.06(a)
Abstract for defensive publication 711.06
Abstract of international application 1826
Abstract of the disclosure 608.01(b); 1302.04
Abstract publication 711.06
Accelerated examination 708.02
Access (See alsoInspection and Power of attorney)
1. Attorney not of record 402; 405
2. Authority to grant access to an application 104
3. Authorized by Director 104
4. Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) 103
5. Ex parte reexamination file 2232
6. Excluded attorney or agent 105
7. Image file wrapper application 103
8. International application 110
9. Pending application 101; 103; 104; 106; 724.04; 724.04(a); 1128; 1132
10. Petition 103
11. Protested application 1901.05; 1901.07
12. Provisional application 103; 104
13. Published application 103; 1128; 1130; 1132
14. Reissue application 103; 724.04(b); 1430
15. Supplemental examination 2803.02
16. Suspended attorney or agent 103
17. Unpublished, Abandoned, and pending applications 105
Accounts, Deposit (SeeDeposit account)
Acknowledgment of protest 1901.05
Act (SeeStatutes)
Action (See alsoLetter, Examiner’s)
1. Advisory action 706.07(f); 714.13; 717.01(f)
2. After another examiner’s action 706.04
3. After Board decision 1214.01; 1214.03 - 1214.07
4. After Board decision reversing examiner 1214.04
5. After Board decision sustaining examiner 1214.06
6. After interference 2308
7. Amendment after final rejection 706.07(f); 714.12; 714.13
8. Citation of references 707.05; 710.06
9. Claim summary 707.07(i)
10. Claims in excess of number of claims previously paid for 714.10
11. Completeness 707.07; 707.07(a)
12. Copy to applicant 707.12
13. Copies of references 707.05(a)
14. Correctness, resetting or restarting period for reply 710.06
15. Counted 1705
16. Crosses amendment 714.05
17. Date 707.11
18. Domestic benefit determination 210 - 211.05
19. Examiner’s 707
20. Final rejection 706.07 - 706.07(f); 713.09
  1. In reissue applications 1444; 1453
21. Foreign priority determination 210; 213 - 217
22. Formal matter 707.07(a); 707.07(e); 707.07(j); 714.02
23. Forms used 707
24. Incorrect citation of references 710.06
25. Informal application 702.01
26. Mailing 707.12
27. Original in image file wrapper 707.12
28. Patentability report 705 - 705.01(f)
29. Piecemeal examination 707.07(g)
30. Primary examiner’s personal attention 707.01; 1004
31. Priority determination, foreign 210; 213 - 217
32. Reply time computation 710.01(a); 710.05
33. Restriction requirement 800
34. Returned 707.13
35. Shortened statutory period 710.02; 710.02(b)
36. SPE’s personal attention 707.02
37. Supplemental 710.06; 714.05
38. Suspension of (See alsoSuspension) 709
39. Suspension of, primary examiner’s attention 1004
40. Suspension of, second or subsequent 1002.02(c)
41. Suspension of, TC Director’s attention 1003
42. Third, SPE reviews 707.02
43. Time limit 710.02; 710.02(c)
Address, Change of correspondence 601.03(a); 601.03(b); 711.03(c)
1. After Allowance 2501; 2542
Address, Correspondence (See alsoMail Stop) 403; 403.01(a); 403.01(b); 2542
Address, Fee 2540
Address of applicant 605.01
Address of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office 501; 502
Address of patent owner 2222; 2805
Address of unavailable inventor 409.03(e)
Administration, Letters of 409.01(b)
Administrative instructions, PCT AI
Administrative Patent Judges (SeePatent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB))
Administrator or executor 409.01
1. Allowance and issue 409.01(b)
2. Application by, After discharge 409.01(b)
3. Assigned application, Inventor dies 409.01(b)
4. Authority 409.01(b)
5. Consular certificate 409.01(b)
6. Foreign country 409.01(b)
7. Heir 409.01; 409.01(a); 409.01(b)
  1. Prosecution by 409.01(a); 409.01(b)
8. Intervention not required 409.01(b)
9. Refuses to sign 409.03; 409.03(b); 409.03(c)
Admissions by applicant 2121.02; 2129; 2133.03; 2133.03(c); 2145; 2152.03
1. Jepson claim 2129
Admissions in reexamination
1. Ex Parte 2217; 2258
Advantages over prior art 707.07(f)
Adverse recommendation under 37 CFR 1.312 714.16(d); 714.16(e); 714.19
Advisory action 706.07(f); 714.13
Affidavit (SeeOath and Declaration)
Affidavit, disqualifying commonly owned patent or patent application publication as prior art to overcome a pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 or 103 rejection (37 CFR 1.131) 718
Affidavit of attribution or prior disclosure to overcome a 35 U.S.C. 102 or 103 rejection (37 CFR 1.130 717.01 - 717.01(f); 2155
1. Enablement 2155.04
2. Evaluation of 717.01(a)(1); 717.01(b)(1); 717.01(e)
3. Formal requirements 717.01(c)
4. Showing Disclosure was made by inventor 717.01(a); 2155.01
5. Showing Prior disclosure was subject matter by inventor 717.01(b); 2154.02 et seq.; 2155.02
6. Showing disclosure was subject matter obtained from inventor 717.01(b)(2); 2155.03
7. Timely presentation 717.01(f)
8. When available 717.01; 2155.06
9. When not required 717.01
10. When unavailable 717.01; 2155.06
11. Who may file 717.01(c); 2155.05
Affidavit of prior invention to overcome a pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 or 103 rejection (37 CFR 1.131(a)) 715; 2132.01; 2136.05; 2136.05(a); 2136.05(b)
1. Acts relied upon, NAFTA/WTO/U.S. 715.07(c); 2121.02; 2139.02
2. Best mode, failure to disclose 715.10
3. Co-authorship 715.01(c)
4. Common assignee, reference and application 715.01(b); 718
5. Compared to Rule 1.132 affidavit 715.01
6. Completion of invention 715
7. Conception (SeeConception)
8. Continuing application 201.06(c); 201.06(d)
9. Copies from prior applications 201.06(c)
10. Dedication to public 715
11. Derivation 715.07(c)
12. Diligence (SeeDiligence)
13. Effective filing date 715
14. Exhibit, Disposition 715.07(d)
15. Formal requirements 715.04
  1. Facts and documentary evidence 715.07
  2. Timely presented 715.09
16. Genus-species 715.03
17. Generic claim 715.02
18. Interference testimony used 715.07(b)
19. Overcome patent or publication 715
20. Petition regarding sufficiency 1002.02(c)
21. Prior public use/sale 715.10
22. Priority time charts 2138.01
23. Proper use of 715
24. Reduction to practice (SeeReduction to practice)
25. Reexamination,, ex parte 2258
26. Reference date to be overcome 715
27. Reference is
  1. Common assignee 715.01(b); 717.02; 718
  2. Joint patent or published application to applicant and another 715.01(a)
  3. Patent or application publication claiming same invention 715.05; 2138.01
  4. Publication of applicant’s own invention 715.01(c)
28. Sufficiency of 715.08; 2136.05
29. When used 715; 2132.01; 2133.02(a); 2136.05(a); 2146.03
30. Who may make affidavit 715.04; 2121.01
31. Withdrawn rejection 715
Affidavits, traversing rejections (37 CFR 1.132) 716; 2136.05; 2137
1. Attorney arguments 716.01(c)
  1. Inoperability of references 716.07; 2145
  2. Reference attributed to applicant 716.10
2. Attribution, of reference to applicant 716.10
3. Commercial success, evidence 716.03
  1. Commensurate in scope with claimed invention 716.03(a)
  2. Derived from claimed invention 716.03(b)
  3. Design applications 716.03(b); 1504.03
  4. Sales figures 716.03(b)
4. Commonly owned patent 718; 804.03
5. Commonly owned patent application publication 718; 804.03
6. Comparison with closest prior art 716.02(e)
7. Computer programming cases 2164.06(c)
8. Continuing application 201.06(c); 201.06(d)
9. Copying, evidence 716.06; 1504.03
10. Disclosure, sufficiency 716.09
11. Disclosure, utility and operability 716.08
12. Enablement rejections 2164.05
13. Evidence
  1. Consideration of 716.01
    1. Publications 716
  2. Nexus requirement 716.01(b)
  3. Objective 716.01(a)
    1. Compared to opinion evidence 716.01(c)
    2. Probative value 716.01(c)
    3. Weighing against prima facie case 716.01(d); 716.05
  4. Timeliness 716.01
14. Indefiniteness rejection 2173.05(b)
15. Long-felt need 716.04
16. Means/Step plus function 2184
17. Petition regarding sufficiency 1002.02(c)
18. Reexamination, ex parte 2258
19. Reference attributed to applicant 716.10
20. Sufficiency of 716.09
21. Synergism 716.02(a)
22. Skepticism of experts 716.05
23. Timeliness 716.01
24. Unexpected results, allegations 716.02
25. Unexpected results, evidence 716.02(a)
  1. Advantages not disclosed or inherent 716.02(f)
  2. Burden on applicant 716.02(b)
  3. Commensurate in scope with claimed invention 716.02(d)
  4. Genus or species 716.02(d)
  5. Range, claimed 716.02(d)
  6. Weighing evidence of 716.02(c)
Affidavits submitted with prior art under 35 U.S.C. 301 in patented files 2205
Affirmation (SeeOath and Declaration)
After final practice 706.07(f)
1. In transitional application 706.07(g)
2. In ex parte reexamination 2272
Agent (SeeAttorney or agent and Power of attorney)
Agent for international application 1807; 1864.04
Aggregation 2173.05(k)
Agriculture, Department of, Plant patents 1608; 1609
Agricultural Research Service 1608; 1609
Algorithms 2106; 2106.04; 2106.04(a)(2); 2161.01; 2164.06(c); 2181
Alien Property Custodian (A.P.C.) publications (See alsoCitation of prior art) 901.06(c)
Allowance and issue (See alsoAllowed application) 1300
1. Abandonment after 711.05
2. Amendment, Examiner’s 1302.04
3. Amendment, Examiner’s, Rule 1.312 1305
4. Amendment after (SeeAmendment: After allowance)
5. Amendment after allowance of all claims 714.14; 1303.01
6. Amendment after D-10 notice 130
7. Amendment at time of 714.15
8. Amendment crossing in mail 714.15
9. Cancellation of claims after appeal 1214.05; 1214.06; 1215.03
10. Cancellation of nonelected claim by examiner’s amendment 821.01; 821.02
11. Citation of prior art 1302.12
12. Claim for Official Gazette 1302.09
13. Claim renumbering 608.01(j); 1302.01; 1302.04(g)
14. Claim renumbering, dependent claim 608.01(n); 1302.01
15. Classification of design/plant application 903.07
16. Classification of utility application 905.03
17. Classification change after allowance 903.07
18. Cooperative Patent Classification Notation 905.01
19. Copending application
  1. File wrapper/history notations 202; 1302.09
  2. Parent application data 1302.04
20. Correction of error after notice of allowance 714.16
21. Correction of formal matters, shortened statutory period for 710.02(b)
22. Cross-reference in USPC 903.07(a)
23. D-10 notice 130
24. Deceased inventor, notice of allowance 1303.03
25. Drawing correction 608.02(z); 1302.04; 1303.01
26. Examiner’s amendment (SeeExaminer’s amendment)
27. Extension of Time 1302.04; 706.07(f)
28. File wrapper notation 1302.09
29. Final review 1302
30. Formal matters 714.16; 1302.01
31. Formal matters, examiner’s amendment and changes 714.16; 1302.04
32. Formal matters, specification rewritten 1302.02
33. General review 1302.01
34. Interference 2303.01
35. Interference search 1302.08; 2304.01(a)
36. International classification 906
37. Intervention by executor 409.01(b)
38. Issue classification notations 1302.10
39. Issue to applicant 308
40. Issue to a non-applicant assignee 307
41. Jurisdiction of application 1305
42. Listing of references 1302.12
43. Locarno classification designations 907
44. Non-compliant amendment, treatment of 714; 1302.04
45. Nonelected claims canceled by examiner’s amendment 821.01; 821.02
46. Nonelected claims eligible for rejoinder 821 - 821.02
47. Notice of Allowability 1302.03
48. Notice of allowance (SeeForm letters and forms: Notice of allowance)
49. Patentability report, print disposal 608.02(n)
50. Plant application 1611
51. Printer Rush 1309.02
52. Pro se 707.07(j)
53. Protest against issue 1901
54. Reasons for allowance (SeeReasons for allowance)
55. Reference listing 1302.12
56. Reissue application 1455
57. Rejection after allowance 706.04; 706.05; 1308.01
58. Rejoinder of claims 821.04; 1302.04(h)
59. Related applications, file wrapper/history notations 202; 1302.09
60. Reopening prosecution 1308.01
61. Review by examiner 1302.01
62. Rewritten specification requirement 1302.02
63. Secret application 130; 1304.01
64. Signing file wrapper 1302.13
65. Special 708.01; 710.02(b); 1301
66. Specification, clean copy required 1302.02
67. Statement of invention 1302.01
68. Supplemental oath after 603.01
69. Terminology correspondence of specification and claims 1302.01
70. Title of invention 1302.01
71. Title change by examiner 606.01
72. Title search, continuing application 306
73. Transfer 909.01; 909.02
74. Undelivered notice of allowance 1303.02
75. Withdrawal from issue (SeeWithdrawal from issue)
76. Withholding from issue, secrecy order application 130; 1304.01
Allowance, Reasons for (SeeReasons for allowance)
Allowed application (See alsoAllowance and issue)
1. Definition 203.04
2. Express abandonment of 711.01
3. File wrapper data 1302.09
4. Rejection 1308.01
Allowed claim, rejection 706.04
1. By Patent Trial and Appeal Board 1213.02
Alpha subclass 903.07
Alteration of application 506
1. After execution prohibited 608.01
2. Before execution of oath or declaration 601.01(a); 602; 714.21
Alternative phrase in claim (See alsoIndefinite claim) 2117; 2173.01; 2173.05(h); 2173.05(i)
Amended application 203.03
Amended application, inspection for transfer 909.01(c)
Amendment (See alsoReply) 714
1. Accidental entry 714.21
2. Adding excess claims 714.10
3. After abandonment 711.02; 714.17
4. After all claims allowed 714.14
5. After allowance
  1. Approval 714.16; 1002.02(d)
  2. Canceling claim 714.16
  3. Entry in part 714.16(e)
  4. Examiner’s action 714.16; 714.16(d); 714.16(e)
  5. Excess claims fees 607; 714.16(c)
  6. Formal matters 714.16; 714.16(d)
  7. Handling 714.16(d)
  8. Mailed before allowance 714.15
  9. Motion under Rule 41.208(c)(2) 714.16(b)
  10. Patentability pointed out 714.16
  11. Reason for adverse action 714.16; 714.16(d)
  12. Renumbering claims 714.16(e)
  13. Secrecy order application 130; 1304.01
6. After examiner’s answer 1210
7. After appeal, before examiner’s answer 714; 1206
8. After Board decision 1002.02(d); 1214.01; 1214.06; 1214.07
9. After death of attorney or agent 406
10. After final rejection 706.07(f); 714.12; 714.13
  1. Examiner determines compliance with 1.121 714.18
  2. Non-compliant amendment, treatment of 714
11. After final rejection, entered in part 714.20
12. Applicants must sign 714.01(a)
13. At allowance 714.15
14. Attorney not of record 402; 405; 408; 714.01(c)
15. Basis in disclosure 608; 2163.03; 2163.07; 2166
16. Before first action 608.04(b); 714.01(e)
17. Board rejection avoided 1214.01
18. By replacement paragraph or section 714
19. By substitute specification 714
20. Canceled matter restored 608.01(s); 714
21. Canceling all claims 706.07(h); 711.01; 714.19
22. Canceling appealed claims 1215.01 - 1215.03
23. Claim added, terminology basis 608.01(o); 2163.03; 2163.07
24. Claim numbering 608.01(j); 1302.01; 1302.04(g)
25. Claims
  1. Added in excess of number of claims previously paid for 607; 714.10; 714.16(c)
  2. Clean version 714; 714.13; 714.16
  3. Marked-up version 714
  4. Status Identifiers 714
26. Complete reply required 714.02; 714.04
27. Consolidating pending claims 714; 714.13; 714.16
28. Copying patent claim (SeeClaim presented corresponding to claim of patent)
29. Crossing mailing of allowance 714.15
30. D-10 notice preceding 130
31. Date of receipt 505; 710.01(a); 714.18
32. Date of receipt stamp
  1. Office date 505; 710.01(a); 714.18
33. Declaration 602
34. Defective, directions for entry 714.20
35. Discharged attorney or agent 714.19
36. Disapproval of preliminary amendment 714.01(e); 1002.02(d)
37. Disapproval of second or subsequent reply 714.03(a)
38. Discourteous 714.19; 714.25; 1002.02(b)
39. Drawing 608.02(p); 1302.05; 1303.01
  1. In reissue application 1413; 1453
40. Drawing, disposition 608.02(x)
41. Drawing, new matter 608.04(a); 714.19
42. Easily erasable paper 714.07
43. Entered in part 714.20
44. Entered in part, after allowance, 37 CFR 1.312 714.16(e)
45. Entry 714.18
46. Entry denied 714.17; 714.19; 714.21
  1. Appeal case 1206; 1214.07
  2. Drawing correction 608.02(x)
  3. Drawing new matter 608.04
  4. List 714.19
  5. Paper number 714.21
  6. Period for reply expired 714.17
  7. Preliminary amendment 714.01(e)
  8. Second (or subsequent) supplemental reply 714.03(a)
  9. Substitute specification unnecessary 714.19; 714.20
  10. Unduly interferes with preparation of Office action 714.03(a)
47. Entry directions 714
  1. Defective 714
48. Entry inadvertent 714.21
49. Entry in ex parte reexamination 2234
50. Examiner’s (SeeExaminer’s amendment)
51. Excess claims added 607; 714.10; 714.16(c)
52. Facsimile 502.01
53. Fees, additional 710.02(c)
54. File wrapper endorsement 714.21
55. Filed with application 601.01(a)
56. Formal matters, compliance with 714.02
57. Fully responsive 714.02
58. Heading 502
59. Immediate inspection 714.05
60. Improper signature 714.01(a); 714.01(c); 714.01(d)
  1. Ratification 714.01(a)
61. Incomplete reply 711.02(a); 711.03(a); 714.02 - 714.04; 2266.01
  1. Time for completing 710.02(c); 714.03; 2266.01
62. Increasing claims in excess of number of claims previously paid for 714.10; 714.16(c)
63. Ink, not permanent 714.07
64. Inspection by examiner 714.05
65. Inventorship (SeeCorrection of inventorship)
66. Jurisdiction of application not with examiner 714.16; 714.19; 1305
67. Late 710.02(d); 711; 714.17
68. Literature citation in specification 608.01(p)
69. Manner of making 714
70. Motion under 37 CFR 41.208(c)(2), Application in issue 714.16(b)
71. New matter 608.04; 608.04(a); 2163.06
72. Non-compliant amendment, treatment of 714; 1302.04
73. Nonentry (See alsoAmendment: Entry denied) 714.03(a); 714.19
74. Not entered 714.19; 714.21
75. Not fully responsive 714.02 - 714.04; 2266.01
76. Not fully responsive, time to perfect reply 710.02(c); 714.03; 2266.01
77. Oath, Original 602
78. Objectionable remarks 714.19; 714.25
79. Of claims 714
80. Of specification 714
81. Office date stamp 505; 706.07(f); 710.02(e); 710.06; 714.16(d); 714.18; 724.04
82. Paper number 714.18
83. Patentability pointed out 714.02; 714.04
84. Period for reply ends Sunday or holiday 505; 513; 710.01(a); 710.05
85. Permanent ink required 714.07
86. Petition non-entry 1002.02(c)
87. Plant application 1610
88. Post Office address, Applicant 602.08(a)
89. Preliminary 506; 714.01(e)
  1. Canceling all claims 601.01(e); 711.01
  2. Denial of entry 714.01(e)
  3. Excess claims 506; 714.10
  4. Filed with application 714.01(e)
  5. Manner of making 714.01(e)
  6. New matter added 601.01(a); 608.04(b); 702.01
  7. Non-compliant amendment, treatment of 714
  8. PG-Pub application 1121
  9. To lessen filing fee 607
90. Ratification
  1. Signature defective 714.01(a)
91. Receipt 501 - 505; 511; 512
92. Received after allowance 714.15; 1303.01
93. Reexamination 2250
94. Reissue 714; 1453
95. Requirements of 714.02
96. Residence change 719.02
97. Responsive 714.02; 714.04
98. Return, after entry in file wrapper 719.01
99. Rule 1.312 (SeeAmendment: After allowance)
100. Second (or subsequent) supplemental reply 714.03(a)
101. Several filed on same day 714.18
102. Signature improper 714.01(a); 714.01(c); 714.01(d)
103. Signature missing 714.01(a)
104. Signature required 714.01(a)
105. Signed by applicant, not by attorney or agent of record 714.01(d)
106. Signed by attorney or agent not of record 402; 402.03; 714.01(c)
107. Statement of allowability by Board 1213.01
108. Supplemental 714.03(a)
109. Support by claims present on the filing date 608.01(l)
110. Telephone number 714.01
111. Unduly interferes with preparation of Office action 714.03(a)
112. Unsigned 714.01(a)
  1. Ratification of 710.02(c); 714.01(a)
America Invents Act (AIA) (SeeStatutes: Public Law 112-129)
American Inventors Protection Act (AIPA) (SeeStatutes: Public Law 106-113)
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 608.02
Amino acid sequence (SeeBiotechnology and Nucleotide sequences)
Analogous Art 904.01(c); 1302.14; 1504.02; 1504.03; 2131.05; 2141.01(a); 2143; 2143.01
Analysis of claims 904.01
Answer, Examiner’s (SeeExaminer’s answer)
Answer all matters traversed 707.07(f)
Antecedent lacking (See alsoIndefinite claim) 1302.01; 2173.03; 2173.05(e); 2175
Anticipation rejection 1504.02; 2120.01; 2131; 2132; 2133; 2136; 2152; 2154
1. Affidavit to overcome a pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a) or (e) rejection 715; 2132.01; 2136.05; 2136.05(a); 2136.05(b)
2. Analogous art 1504.03; 2131.05
3. Definition of 2131; 2152
4. Exceptions to 2153; 2154.02
5. Genus-species 2131.02
6. Generic chemical formula 2131.02
7. Grace Period 2133; 2153 - 2153.01(a)
8. Meaning of
  1. "By others" 2132; 2154.02; 2154.02(a); 2154.02(b)
  2. "In this country" 2132
  3. "Known or used" 2132; 2133.03(a)
  4. "Patented in this or a foreign country" 2132; 2152.02(a)
9. Multiple references, when permitted 2131.01
10. On sale (SeeOn sale)
11. Ranges claimed 2131.03
12. Rejections based on publications and patents 2133.02; 2152.02(a); 2152.02(b)
13. Prima facie case 2132.01; 2152
14. Public use (SeePublic use)
15. Secondary considerations, evidence of 2131.04
A.P.C. publications (SeeAlien Property Custodian (A.P.C.) publications)
Apostille (See alsoOath and Declaration) 301; 409.01(b); 409.03(a); 409.03(d); 602.04
Apparatus, Process or product and 806.05(e) - 806.05(g)
Appeal 1200
1. Abandonment 1210
2. Actions subsequent to examiner’s answer 1210
3. Administrative handling 1203
4. Affidavit after appeal 1206; 1208; 1211.03
5. Amendment after examiner’s answer 1210; 1211.01
6. Amendment before examiner’s answer 1206
7. Amendment for purpose of 714.12; 714.13
8. Amendment makes application allowable 1206
9. Answer, Examiner’s (SeeExaminer’s answer)
10. Appealable issue 1201
11. Brief 1206
  1. In ex parte reexamination 2274
  2. In reissue 1454
12. By patent owner 1204
13. Cancellation of withdrawn claims 1214.05
14. Civil litigation 1216.02
15. Claims copied from patent, time limit 710.02(c)
16. Claims included 1204; 1205; 1205.02
17. Claims not appealed 711.02(b); 1215.01; 1215.02
  1. Partial 1214.05; 1215.03
18. Composition of the Board 1202
19. Concurrently with interference 1210
20. Concurrently with prosecution before examiner 1210
21. Conference 1207.01; 1302.14
22. Correspondence address for litigation 501; 1216.01
23. Court 1216
24. Court, Federal Circuit 1216.01
25. Decision by Board 1213
26. Dismissal 1215.04
27. Examiner reversed 1214.04
28. Examiner sustained 1214.06
29. Examiner’s answer 1207
30. Failure to prosecute appeal 1215.04
31. Fee (See alsoFee) 1204; 1204.01; 1205; 1208.01
32. Forwarding fee 1208.01
33. From Board decision 1216 - 1216.02
34. Interview after appeal 1204.03
35. Introduction 1201
36. Jurisdiction 1205.03; 1210
37. Matter subject to ; 706.01; 1201
38. Multiplicity rejection 2173.05(h); 2173.05(n)
39. New ground of rejection by Board 1214.01
40. New ground of rejection by examiner in examiner’s answer 1207.01; 1207.02; 1207.03; 1207.03(a); 1207.03(b); 1207.03(c); 1208
41. New matter affecting claim 608.04(c)
42. Notice of 1204
43. Oral hearing 1209
  1. Reexamination, ex parte 2276
44. Order for compliance 1205.03; 1210
45. Patentability report case 705.01(a)
46. Pre-appeal brief conference pilot program 1204.02
47. Primary examiner’s attention 1004
48. Procedure after Board decision 1214; 1214.01; 1214.03 - 1214.07
49. Protestor participation 1901.07
50. Publication of Board decision 1213.03
51. Real party in interest 1205.02; 1207.02
52. Record on appeal 1204.04
53. Rehearing by Board 1214.01; 1214.03
54. Reexamination, ex parte 2273
55. Remand by Board 1208; 1210; 1211; 1211.01; 1211.02; 1211.03; 1212; 1213; 1213.02; 1214.01; 1302.14; 2143.03; 2274; 2275
56. Remand by Federal Circuit 1216.01
57. Remanded application made special 708.01
58. Reopening of prosecution 1207.05; 1208; 1214.07; 1211.01; 1213; 1213.02; 1214.01; 1214.04; 1214.07
59. Reply brief to examiner’s answer 1208
60. Requirement by board to address matter 1212
61. Secrecy order application 130; 1304.01
62. Statement of allowability by Board 1213.01
63. Substitute appeal brief 1207.02
64. Substitute examiner’s answer 1207.05; 1211; 1211.01
65. Suspension pending civil action or federal circuit appeal in related case 1213
66. Time for filing brief 1205.01
67. Waiver of any challenge 1203; 1205.02
68. Withdrawal of final rejection 1207
69. Withdrawal, partial 1214.05; 1215.03
Appealable matter not petitionable 1002; 1201
Appendix, computer program listing (See alsoComputer Program Listing Appendix) 601; 608.05; 608.05(a); 1121
Appendix, multiple claim sets 1121
Applicant (See alsoInventor and Pro se applicant) 605
1. Abandonment notification 711.04(c)
2. Administrator or executor 409.01(b)
3. Age, special status 708.02
4. Citizenship 601; 601.05(b); 602.08(a); 602.08(b); 608.01
5. Common, at least one 211.01; 2136.01; 2146 - 2146.03(a); 2154.01(d)
6. Comments on statement of reasons for allowance 1302.14
7. Discourtesy 714.19; 714.25
8. Health, special status 708.02
9. Heir 409.01(a); 409.01(b)
10. International application 1806; 1820; 1821
11. Joint 201.02; 2109; 2151
12. Mailing address 601.01; 601.01(a); 601.03(a); 601.03(b); 601.05(a); 601.05(b); 602.01(b); 602.01(c)(1); 602.08(b); 603; 604
13. Micro Entity Status 509.04
14. Name change 602.01(c); 605.01
15. Other than inventor 409.01(b); 409.03(b)
16. Post Office address 602.08(a)
17. Power to inspect 104; 106
18. Reply (SeeAmendment and Reply)
19. Requirements 2109; 2151
20. Self-prosecuted application 401; 707.07(j); 713.01
21. Signature 602.08(b)
22. Small entity status 509.02
23. Sole 201.02
Application
1. Abandoned (SeeAbandoned application)
2. Abstract of the disclosure 608.01(b)
3. Acceptance of 37 CFR 1.47 409.03(h); 409.03(j)
4. Acknowledgment 502.05; 503
5. Address missing 403
6. Allowable except as to form 706; 710.02(b)
7. Allowed
  1. Definition 203.04
  2. File wrapper data 1302.09
  3. Rejection 706.05; 1308.01
8. Amended definition 203.03
9. Arrangement 601; 608.01(a)
  1. Design application 1503; 1503.01; 1503.02
10. Assigned (See alsoAssignee and Assignment)
  1. Access 106
  2. Allowance
    1. Non-Applicant 307
    2. Applicant 308
  3. Conflicting subject matter 822; 2304.05
  4. Inventor deceased 409; 409.01(a); 409.01(b)
11. Assignment for examination
  1. Office of Patent Application Processing) 504
12. Assignment to examiner for examination 909.01(a); 909.02(b)
13. Assignment to Technology Center for examination 504; 909.01; 909.02; 909.02(e)
14. Background of the invention 608.01(c)
15. Best mode 608.01(h); 2166
16. Brief description of the drawings 608.01(f)
17. Brief summary of the invention 608.01(d)
18. British English spellings 608.01
19. Certified copy 608.01
20. Claim omitted 601.01(a); 601.01(e); 702
21. Claim terminology 608.01(o)
22. Claims 608.01(i) - 608.01(n); 608.01(m)
23. Classification in Technology Center 909.01(b); 909.02(b)
24. Classification challenge 909.01(d)
25. Common ownership 324; 325; 709.01; 822; 2136.01; 2141.01; 2146; 2146.01; 2146.02; 2146.03; 2146.03(a); 2148; 2152.06; 2154.01(d); 2154.02(c); 2158; 2158.01
26. Completeness 201.06(c); 506; 601.01 - 608.01(p)
27. Conflicting, same applicant 709.01; 804; 822
28. Content 600
29. Continuation (See alsoContinuation) 201.07
30. Continuation-in-part (See alsoContinuation-in-part) 201.08
  1. Design 1504.20
31. Continued prosecution (CPA) (See alsoContinued prosecution application (CPA))
  1. Design 201.06(d); 1502.01
32. Continuity between applications 211.01(b)
33. Control of access 101; 103; 106
34. Copendency 211.01(b)
35. Copending, Design 1504.20
36. Correction of inventorship 602.01(c)
37. Cross-noting
  1. Data of parent application in file wrapper or PALM bib-data sheet or PALM database 202; 1302.09
  2. Data of related application, updating 211.02(a)
  3. Foreign application, file wrapper/history notation 202
  4. Foreign application, oath 202; 214.03
38. Description of the related art 608.01(c)
39. Design (SeeDesign application)
40. Detailed description 608.01(g)
41. Distribution 508
42. Divisional (See alsoDivisional application) 201.06
  1. Design 1504.20
43. Drawings 601.01(f); 608.02; 702
  1. Missing figures 601.01(g)
44. Effective filing date 2120.01; 2139.01; 2152.01
45. Electronic submission of (EFS-Web) 502.05
46. English language 608.01
47. Examination 700
48. Examples 608.01(p); 707.07(l)
49. Facsimile transmission 608.01
50. Fee, filing (See alsoFee) 607
51. Field of the invention 608.01(c)
52. File wrapper continuing (FWC) 201.06(b)
53. Filing date 211.02; 503; 505; 511
  1. EFS-Web 502.05
54. Filing receipt (See alsoPostcard, self-addressed) 503
55. Filing requirements 601.01(a); 702
56. Five year pendency 707.02; 708.01
57. Font 608.01
58. Foreign (See alsoForeign application) 210 - 217
59. Form 600
60. Incomplete 203.06; 506; 601.01(d); 601.01(e); 601.01(f); 601.01(g)
  1. Definition 203.06; 506
61. Informal 506; 702.01
  1. Definition 506
  2. Special 708.01
62. Inspection 103
63. International (SeeInternational application)
64. International Convention (35 U.S.C. 119) 213
65. Invalid oath 602.03
66. Issue fee not paid (abandoned) 711.03(c)
67. Issue simultaneously with another application 1306.02
68. Jurisdiction 1305
69. Mode of operation 608.01(h)
70. National application 201
71. National stage application 201
72. New, definition 203.01
73. Nonprovisional 506; 601; 601.01; 601.01(a); 601.01(c)
74. Number 502; 503; 506
  1. Status of application using 101; 102
75. Omitted items 217; 601.01(d); 601.01(f); 601.01(g)
76. Order of examination 708; 708.01
77. Overlapping
  1. Common ownership 709.01; 715.01(b); 804.03; 822; 2136.01; 2141.01; 2146; 2146.01; 2146.02; 2146.03; 2146.03(a); 2148; 2152.06; 2154.01(d); 2154.02(c); 2158; 2158.01
  2. Same applicant 709.01; 804; 822
  3. Subject to joint research agreement 804; 804.02; 804.03; 2136.01; 2137; 2141.01; 2146; 2146.01; 2146.02; 2146.03; 2146.03(a); 2151; 2152.07; 2154.02(c); 2156; 2158; 2158.01
78. Pages missing 601.01(d)
79. Parent 904
80. Parts 600
81. Pending five years 707.02
82. Plant (See alsoPlant patent) 1600
83. Prior art 2121 - 2129; 2152; 2154; 2158
84. Prior art effect of international publication 2136; 2136.03; 2139.02; 2152.05; 2154.01(a)
85. Priority
  1. Foreign application 213; 214; 214.01; 1402; 1504.02; 1504.10; 2120; 2132.01; 2133.02(a); 2136.03; 2136.05; 2152.01; 2152.06
86. Protest 1901
87. Provisional (See alsoProvisional application) 201.04; 601; 601.01; 601.01(b); 601.01(c); 602; 702; 2127; 2136
88. Public inspection 103
89. Publication (SeePre-Grant Publication (PG-Pub))
90. Publication of abstract 711.06; 711.06(a)
91. Receipt and handling 500
92. Reconstruction 508.04
93. Recording and tracking in Technology Center 1704
94. Reference Filing 601.01(a)
95. Reissue (See alsoReissue application) 1401 - 1470
96. Rejected definition 203.02
97. Relating to atomic energy 115; 150; 151
98. Review 506
99. Right to inspect 103
100. Right of priority, foreign application 213
101. Rule 1.60 201.06(a)
102. Rule 1.62 201.06(b)
103. Secrecy order 120; 121; 130
104. Serial number 502; 503
105. Size fee 502.05; 506; 509; 607; 608.05; 1415; 1893.01(c); 2422.03(a)
  1. calculations for EFS-Web submissions 502.05
106. Special (See alsoSpecial application) 707.02; 708 - 708.03
  1. List 708.01
  2. Priority in patent printing 1308
107. Status 102; 203; 1730
  1. Inquiries 203.08
108. Substitute
  1. Does not carry ownership from parent 306
  2. File wrapper/history notation 202
109. Table submitted on read-only optical disc or via the USPTO patent electronic filing system as ASCII text file 608.05; 608.05(b); 2422.03; 2422.03(a)
110. Terminology, Claim 608.01(o)
111. Title of invention 606
112. Title of invention, change 606.01; 1302.01; 1302.04
113. Transfer procedure 909.01(d); 909.02(d)
114. Types (See alsoPatent) 201
115. Utility (See alsoPatent) 201
Application Assistance Unit 102; 103; 711.03(d); 711.06; 1730
Application Data Sheet (ADS) 211.02; 601; 601.01(a); 601.01(b); 601.03(a); 601.03(b); 601.05; 601.05(a); 601.05(b); 602.01; 605.01; 606; 608.01; 608.01(a); 1130; 1405; 1410; 1410.01; 1417; 1451; 1481.03; 1490; 2136.05(a); 2152.06; 2214; 2266; 2666
1. Corrected (or updated) ADS 601.05; 601.05(a)
2. Supplemental ADS 601.05; 601.05(b)
Application Division (SeeOffice of Initial Patent Examination (Office of Patent Application Processing))
Application publication 901.03
1. Citation of 707.05(e)
2. Disqualifying/excepted as prior art, commonly owned 717.02 - 717.02(c); 718; 804.03; 2146; 2154.02(c); 2156
3. Prior art effect 901.03; 2120.01; 2136; 2136.03; 2152.02(b); 2154.01
Arbitration awards notice 311
Argument for allowability lacking in amendment 714.04
Arrangement of application 601; 608.01(a)
Arrangement of art in Technology Centers 901.07
Art unit number on papers 502
Artifacts in the file wrapper application 608.02; 608.03
Asexual plants (See alsoPlant patent) 1600
Assigned application
1. Allowance
  1. Non-Applicant 307
  2. Applicant 308
2. Conflicting subject matter 608.01(m); 822
3. Inventor deceased 409.01(b)
4. Nonprovisional application claiming benefit of provisional application 306.01
5. Provisional application 302.03
6. Title report 320
Assignee (See alsoAssigned application and Assignment)
1. Access to an application 104; 106; 301.01
2. Address 302.05
3. Affidavits under 37 CFR 1.130 717.01 - 717.01(f); 2155
4. Affidavits under 37 CFR 1.131 715.04
5. Can appoint new power of attorney 402.07
6. Certificate of correction 307; 1480 - 1485
7. Change of inventorship, consent 602.01(c); 1412.04; 1412.05
8. Common 709.01; 822; 2136.01; 2141.01; 2146 - 2146.03(a); 2148; 2152.06; 2154.01(d); 2154.02(c); 2158; 2158.01
9. Consent in reissue 1410.01; 1410.02; 1412.04; 1412.05; 1443; 1451
10. Double patenting, same assignee 804; 822; 2146.03(a)
11. Duty of disclosure 2001.01
12. Employees, property interest in patent 309; 1702
13. Entire interest, control 106; 301; 324; 325; 402; 402.02; 402.05; 402.07
14. Establishing right to take action in applications 324; 325
15. Foreign 302.04
16. Interfering applications, same assignee 709.01
17. Intervention 106; 324; 325; 409.01(a); 409.01(b)
18. Micro entity status 509.04
19. Multiple Assignees 324; 325
20. Obligated assignee or person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest 409.05
21. Part interest 106.01
22. Patent issues to
  1. Non-Applicant 307
  2. Applicant 308
23. Permitted to take action under 37 CFR 3.73(b) 324; 325
24. Power to inspect 104
25. Printed on PG-Pub 1121
26. Revocation of power of attorney 324; 325; 402.05; 402.07
27. Showing sufficient proprietary interest 409.05
28. Small entity 509.02
Assignment 300
1. Access 301.01; 1730
2. Allowance of application 307; 308
3. Assignment identification requirements 302.03
4. Automated Patent and Trademark Assignment System 502.01
5. Change of name 314
6. Conflicting statements of ownership under 37 CFR 3.73(b) 324; 325
7. Continuing application 306; 324; 325
8. Copy 301.01; 302.01
9. Corrections in recorded assignment 307; 323; 323.01; 323.01(b); 323.01(c); 323.01(d)
10. Cover sheet 302.07
  1. Corrections 317.02; 323.01; 323.01(a); 323.01(c)
11. Date of recording 317.01
12. Effect of recording 317.03
13. Electronic submission of (EPAS) 302.10; 502.01; 502.05; 1730
14. Employees, property interest in patent 309
15. Expungement of assignment records 323; 323.01(d)
16. Facsimile submission 302.09; 502.01; 1730
17. Foreign language translation 302.02
18. Indexing 315
19. International application 301
20. Licenses 301; 313
21. Mailing address 302.05; 302.08; 501
22. Mergers 302.07; 314
23. Multiple assignees 324; 325
24. Nonprovisional claiming benefit of provisional 306.01
25. Not endorsed on pending applications 303
26. One of several overlapping applications 709.01; 715.01(b)
27. Parent application 306
28. Part interest 106.01; 301.01; 717.02(a); 2146.02
29. Patent 301; 301.01; 302.03
30. Patent and trademark assignment system 302.09; 302.10
31. Pending applications 301.01; 302.07; 303; 717.02(a); 2146.02; 2146.03
32. Plural items 301.01
33. Printing on patent 307; 1309; 1481.01
34. Proof of 717.02(a); 2146.02
35. Provisional application 302.03; 306.01
36. Recording 301; 302; 313; 314; 315
37. Recording fee 302.06
38. Records not kept in application file 303; 320
39. Search facilities 1730
40. Security interests 302.07; 313
41. Title reports 303; 320
42. Transfer of rights from/to small entity 509.02
43. Translation 302.02
Assignment Division (Assignement Recordation Branch) 320; 602.08(b)); 1121; 1730
1. Administrator and executor authority checked 409.01(b)
2. Certified Abstract of Title 320
3. Contact information 1730
4. Information available from Patent Data Portal 320
5. Mailing address 501
6. Title report 320
Assignment of application
1. For examination 504
2. For ex parte reexamination 2236; 2285; 2822
Assignment to examiner for examination 909.01(b); 909.02(b)
Assistant Commissioner for Patents (SeeCommissioner for Patents)
Assistant Commissioner for Trademarks (SeeCommissioner for Trademarks)
Assistant examiner (SeeExaminer)
Associate attorney 402.02
Atomic Energy Act of 1954 120; 2104; 2104.01
Atomic energy application 150
Attorney or agent
1. Appointment by assignee of entire interest 106
2. Associate 402.02
3. Compliance with duty of disclosure 2004
4. Continuing application 201.06(c)
5. Change of correspondence address 601.03
6. Correspondence with 403; 403.01(a); 403.01(b)
7. Death 406
8. Design Patent Practitioner 402; 402.04; 403; 405; 1502.02; 2911
9. Discourtesy 714.25
10. Duty of disclosure 2001.01; 2002.01
11. Excluded from practice 105
12. Inspection 104
13. Interfering applications 402.08
14. International application 402.09; 1807; 1808; 1820
15. Interview 405; 408; 713 - 713.10; 1302.14
16. Limited recognition 402.01; 402.09
17. More than one for same applicant 403.02
18. Name on patent 1309
19. Name on reexamination certificate 2287
20. Not of record 402; 405
21. Notarizing oath 602
22. Office cannot aid in selection of 401
23. Petition to reinstate 1002.02(m)
24. Post Office address 601.02
25. Power of (See alsoPower of attorney) 402; 406; 407; 2501
  1. In ex parte reexamination 2213; 2222
  2. In supplemental examination 2804
26. Reexamination, ex parte 2213
27. Registered 401; 402
28. Request for limited recognition 402.01; 1002.02(m)
29. Roster of attorneys and agents 601.03; 1730
30. Selection 401
31. Signature of 402; 402.03
32. Substitute 406
33. Suspended or excluded 105; 407; 714.01(a); 714.19
  1. Communication with 105
  2. Inspection by 105
  3. Interview 105; 713.05
34. Telephone number on letters 714.01
35. Telephoned by examiner 408; 713.01; 1302.14
36. Two patent practioners for same application 403.02
37. Unregistered 402
38. Washington, D.C. area representative 408
39. Withdrawal 402.06; 1002.02(s); 1808; 2804.01
40. Withdrawal after patent granted 2223; 2560
Australian Patent Office (IP Australia) 1840; 1840.03; 1860; 1865
Authentication of oath 602.04
Authentication of e-mail sender 502.03
AuthorIn program (See alsoSequence rules) 2430
Authority of administrator or executor 409.01(b)
Authority of Director, Delegation of 1001.01
Authority of Director, Statutory 1001
Authority to inspect pending application 103
Authorization
1. Credit card payments 509
2. Deposit accounts 509.01; 1730
3. Internet electronic mail (e-mail) 502.03
4. Power of attorney 402
Authorship 715.01(c); 716.10
Automated Patent and Trademark Assignment System 502.01; 502.05
Avoiding double patenting rejection 804.02; 1490; 2129; 2146.03(a); 2158