MPEP Subject Matter Index (I) – Subject Matter Index

Icons and electronic images, computer-generated 1504.01(a)
Identification of papers 502; 503
Identification of priority application 214.04
Identity of inventors under 35 U.S.C. 119 216
Idiomatic English 608.01(q)
Illustration (SeeDrawings)
Image file wrapper
1. Artifact 608.02; 608.02(c)
2. Paper scanning 508
3. Power to inspect not accepted 104
4. Public access 103; 1730
Implied election 818.02; 818.02(a); 818.02(c)
Improper joinder, effect on patent 805
Improper naming of inventors 2109; 2137; 2157
Improper multiple dependent claim 608.01(n)
Improvement (Jepson claim) 2129
Inaccurate claim 2173.03
Incoming-Mail Section (See alsoOffice of Patent Application Processing) 501
Incomplete amendments, time for completing 710.02(c); 714.03
Incomplete application 506; 601.01(d) - 601.01(g)
1. Claims omitted 601.01(e)
2. Definition 203.06
3. Drawing 506; 601.01(f)
4. Invalid oath 602.03
5. Return of filing fee 506
6. Using again 608.01(t)
Incomplete claim, rejection 2166; 2172.01; 2175
Incomplete protest 1901.03
Incomplete requests for ex parte reexamination 2227
Incomplete response 711.03(a); 714.03
1. Time for completing 710.02(c); 711; 714.03
Incorporation by reference 103; 201.06(c); 211.02; 211.02(a); 217; 601; 608.01(p); 2163.07; 2163.07(b); 2173.05(s)
1. Foreign priority application 213.02; 217; 2163.07
2. Public access to incorporated application 103
Incorrect citation of reference 707.05(g); 710.06
Indefinite claim 2171 - 2174; 2175; 2185
1. Alternative phrase 2173.01; 2173.05(h)
2. Antecedent basis 2173.05(e)
3. Breadth compared 2173.04
4. Chemical Formula 2173.05(t)
5. Comparing 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph with 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph 2174; 2185
6. Design applications 1503.01; 1503.02; 1504.04
7. Exemplary claim language 2173.05(d)
8. International application 1845.01; 1874
9. Multiplicity 2173.05(n)
10. Must be considered 2143.03
11. Nonelected claims 821
12. Numerical ranges 2173.05(c)
13. Practice compact prosecution 2173.06
14. Prolix 2173.05(m)
15. Reference to limitations in another claim 2173.05(f)
16. Rejections 2175
17. 35 U.S.C. 112(6) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph limitations 2181; 2185
Independent claim 608.01(n)
Independent, definition 802.01
Independent inventions 802; 802.01; 803; 803.02; 806; 806.04(b); 806.06; 808.01(a)
Independent inventor (See alsoApplicant, Inventor, and Pro Se applicant)
1. Micro entity status 509.04
2. Small entity status 509.02
Index of claims 707.07(i); 719.04
Index of patents, Classification, Numerical 902.03(a)
Index to the U.S. Patent Classification 902.01(a)
Industrial Security Manual (ISM) 120
Inequitable conduct (See alsoDuty of disclosure, Violation of) 2001.06(c); 2010
1. Best mode 2165
2. Claims invalidated 2016
3. Finding affects all claims 2016
4. Protest 1901; 1901.02; 1901.06; 2013
5. Reexamination 2014
6. Reissue 1448; 2012
Informal application 506; 702.01
1. Primary examiner’s attention required 1004
2. Search 702.01; 704.01
Informal drawing (no longer applies) 507; 608.02(b); 608.02(i)
Informality, Action calling attention to 707.07(a); 707.07(j); 710.02(b); 714.14
Information Center (SeeScientific and Technical Information Center (STIC))
Information Disclosure Statements (See alsoPrior art) 201.06(d); 609; 1406; 1410; 1418; 1455
1. Electronic Processing of 609.08
2. Relationship to requirement for information 704.14(d)
Information material to patentability ) (See alsoDuty of disclosure) 2001.04; 2001.05
1. Copending application 2001.06(b)
2. Copied claims 2001.06(d)
3. Foreign application 2001.06(a)
4. Litigation 2001.06(c)
5. Submitted to Food and Drug Administration 2001.04
Information reasonably necessary for finding prior art 704.11
Information submitted with protest 1901.02
Infringement action
1. Statute of limitations 2204
INID codes or numbers 901.04; 901.05(b); 2290
Initial data capture for printing 1309
Initial examiner review of reissue 1443
Ink
1. Permanent 608.01; 714.07
Inoperativeness 2164.07; 2164.08(b)
1. Affidavit 716.07
INPADOC 901; 901.06(a); 901.07
Inquiries, Official and Congressional 203.08(a)
Inquiries regarding patent search, examination, or validity 1701
Inquiry as to status of application 102; 203.08; 1809
1. Application published 1128; 1134
Insanity 409.01(b)
Inspection
1. Amendment 714.05
2. Application 103; 104
3. Application Assistance Unit 103
4. Approval of power 104
5. Assignment 301.01
6. Authority to grant 104
7. Authorization 402; 409.03(i)
8. By assignee 104; 106; 106.01
9. By excluded or suspended attorney or agent 105
10. By inventor 106
11. By licensee 106.01
12. Control of, By assignee 106
13. International application 110
14. Patent file 103
15. Petition 103
16. Record room 103
17. Reissue application 103
18. Right of 103; 104; 106
Insufficient disclosure 608.01(p); 2161; 2166
Insufficient reply 710.02(c); 711.02(a); 711.03(a); 714.03; 2266.01
Int Cl (International Patent Classification) 906
Intellectual property compared 1512
Intellectual Property and High Technology Technical Amendments Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-273) 2120.01; 2136; 2146
Intent to claim 706
Interference 2300
1. Abandonment, suppression or concealment, notice 2138; 2138.03
2. Access to files 104; 2306; 2307.02
3. Action after 2308
4. Action after ex-parte reexamination 2284
5. Action suggesting claims 2304.04
6. Administrative patent judge handles 2301
7. Allowance of losing party’s application (Estoppel) 2308.03
8. Applicant suggests interference with patent 2304.02
9. Applications in different Technology Centers 2304.01(b)
10. Basis of practice 2138.01; 2301.03
11. Between application and patent 2301.03
12. Between applications 2301.03
13. Cancellation of losing party’s claims 2308.03(a)
14. Claim of foreign priority 2304.01(c)
15. Claim interpretation 2301.03
16. Claim presented corresponding to patent claim 2301.03 - 2304.05
17. Claims, added or amended 2308.02
18. Claims, overlapping in two applications of same party 2304.05
19. Claims, suggesting 1003; 2304.04(b)
20. Claims corresponding to count support in specification 2163.03
21. Common ownership 2304.05
22. Conception 2138.01; 2138.04
23. Concurrent with appeal 2307.05
24. Copending ex parte reexamination 2284
25. Copying claims, information relating to 2001.06(d)
26. Count, defined 2301.02; 2301.03; 2304.02(b)
27. Counts, formulation of 2301.01; 2304.02(b)
28. Dates, difference in effective filing 2303
  1. TC Director’s attention required 1003
29. Declaration 2301
30. Definitions 2301.02
31. Determining priority 2138.01; 2304.02(c)
32. Diligence, reasonable 2138.01; 2138.06
33. Disclaimer, statutory 710.02(d); 2304.04(c)
34. Disposal credit 1705
35. Election of invention not affected 819
36. Entry of amendment filed in connection with motion 2308.02
37. Estoppel 715; 2138.01; 2308.03
38. Evidence 2138.04 - 2138.06
39. Examination, Completion of 2303; 2303.02
40. Examiner suggestion 2304.04
41. Final disposal of claims 2308.01
42. Fraud 2010
43. Generic claims 2304.04(b)
44. Identification of patent, corresponding claims presented 2304.02(a)
45. Inequitable conduct 2010
46. Inter partes questions not to be discussed ex parte 2307.01
47. Interference Practice Specialist 2301; 2302; 2303; 2304; 2304.04(a); 2304.04(b); 2307.04; 2308.03
48. Interference-in fact, no 2308.03(b)
49. Interfering Subject Matter 2301.03
50. Judicial review 1216; 1216.01
51. Jurisdiction over interference 2307; 2308
52. Limited applicability 2301.04
53. Losing party, may obtain copy of opponent’s application 2308.03(a)
54. Losing party, treatment of 2308.03(a)
55. Lost counts 715
56. Motions
  1. Decision 2308.02
  2. Stay 2284
  3. Suspend 2284
57. National Aeronautics and Space Administration or Department of Energy Ownership 2309
58. Order to show cause 2305
59. Patent in different Technology Center 2304.01(b)
60. Patent term adjustment 2303; 2303.01; 2304.01(d)
61. Patentee suggestion 2304.03
62. Petition refusal to initiate 1002.02(c)
63. Power of attorney filed 402.08
64. Preparation of papers by examiner 2302
65. Priority time charts 2138.01
66. Provoking
  1. In ex parte reexamination 2284
67. Reduction to practice 2138.01; 2138.05
68. Reexamination
  1. Ex parte, copending with interference 2284
69. References pertinent to motions, made of record 1302.12
70. Referring an Interference to the Board, Preliminaries to 2304.01
71. Reissue application 1449.02; 2303.02
72. Reissue application copending with interference on original patent 1449.01
73. Related involved files 2304.01(b)
  1. Access to 2307.02
  2. Board action in 2307.05
  3. Suspension in 2307.03
  4. Translation of 2304.01(c)
74. Reply to suggestion for claims 710.02(c); 2304.04(b)
75. Requirements for interference 2302
76. Requiring a claim 2304.04(b)
77. Requiring a priority showing 2305
78. Revocation of power of attorney 402.08
79. Search 1302.08; 2304.01(a)
80. Second Interference, no 2308.03(c)
81. Secrecy order application 130; 2304.01(a); 2306
82. Sorting claims 2304.01(d)
83. Special dispatch 708.01; 2301
84. Statutory basis 708.01; 2301.01
85. Suggestion of interference, general 2304
  1. By examiner 2304.04
  2. By patentee 2304.03
86. Suggestion of claims 2304.02 - 2304.04(b)
87. Suggestion of claims, time limit 710.02(c)
88. Suspension of action pending outcome of reexamination 2284
89. Suspension of ex parte prosecution 709; 709.01
90. Suspension of related applications 2307.03
91. Terminated open to public 103
92. Testimony 715.07(b)
93. Transfer of application 2304.01(b)
94. Winning party 710.02(b); 2308
95. Written Description, Adequate 2304.02(d)
Interference practice specialist(s) 2301; 2302; 2304; 2304.04(a); 2304.04(b); 2307.04; 2308.03
Interlibrary loans 901.06(a)
Interlineation in specification before execution 608.01
Intermediate-final product 806.04(b); 806.05(j)
International application (See alsoForeign application and Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT))
1. Abstract 1826
2. Access 101; 110
3. Agent 1807; 1864.04
4. Amendment before the designated office 1893.01(a)(2); 1893.01(a)(3)
5. Amendment of claims before International Bureau 1853
6. Amino acid sequence 1823.02; 2412.03(b); 2412.05(d); 2422; 2422.03(a)
7. Applicant 1806; 1810
8. Assignment document 301
9. Attorney 1807
10. Attorney file reference number 1821
11. Claims 1824
12. Common representative 402.09; 1807
13. Confidential status 101; 110
14. Content 1812
15. Continuation 1828.02
16. Continuation of 211.01(c); 1895
17. Continuation-in-part 1828.02
18. Correspondence 1834
19. Definition 201
20. Deposit accounts 509.01
21. Description 1823
22. Designation of states 1821
23. Drawings 1825; 1893.03(f)
24. Drawings missing 1825
25. Early national stage entry under 35 U.S.C. 371(f) 1893.01; 1893.01(a)(2); 1893.03(b)
26. EFS-Web filing 502.05
27. Elements 1812
28. Errors, rectification of 1836
29. Fees 1827; 1893.01(c); 1896
30. Filing date 1810
31. Foreign filing license 1805; 1828.01; 1832
32. Formal requirements 1810
33. Forms (SeePatent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Forms)
34. Home copy 1801; 1879.04
35. International preliminary examination 1860
36. International search 1843
37. International searching authority 1840 - 1840.06
38. Inventor 1806; 1821; 1893.01(e)
39. Kinds of protection 1821; 1828.02
40. Mail service 1834; 1834.02
41. Member states 1817
42. Microorganism deposit 1823.01
43. National stage 1893 - 1896
  1. Submission via EFS-Web 502.05
44. Numbering of sheets 1812
45. Oath 1893.01(e)
46. Parent to national application 211.01(c); 1895
47. Power of attorney 1807
48. Prior art effect 2127; 2136.03; 2154.01(a)
49. Priority 210 - 217; 1828
  1. Restoration of 1828.01
50. Priority document 215; 1828
51. Publication 1857
52. Record copy 1801; 1827.01; 1828; 1832
53. Rectification of obvious errors 1836
54. Refund of fees 1827.01; 1850; 1852; 1875.02
55. Representation 402.09
56. Request 1821
57. Search copy 1801; 1827.01; 1840; 1840.01
58. Search fee 1827
59. Search report 707.05; 1844
60. Secrecy order 115; 120; 1832
61. Signature of applicant 1820
62. Term, Adjustment of 2730; 2731; 2732; 2734
63. Time limits 1836; 1842; 1843.05; 1879.01
64. Title 1821
65. Translation for U.S. national stage 1893.01(d)
66. Transmittal fee 1827
67. Transmittal letter 1830
68. Unity of invention 823; 1850; 1875; 1893.03(d)
69. Withdrawal 1859; 1880
International classification 906
International design application 201.01; 211.01(d); 1501; 2900
1. Access 102; 103
2. Claiming Priority 213.07; 2901; 2909; 2909.01; 2909.03; 2920.05(d); 2920.05(e)
3. Contents of 2909
4. Conversion 2914
5. Corrections of 2930
6. Correspondence address 2909.01; 2912; 2920.03; 2920.06
7. Definition 2902
8. Design patent practitioner 2911
9. EFS-Web 2905.01; 2909.02; 2909.02(a)
10. Examination 2901; 2906; 2909; 2910; 2920; 2920.05; 2920.06; 2950
11. Fee Calculator 2910
12. Fees 2910
13. Filing date 601.01(a); 2906; 2907; 2908
14. Grant of protection 2901; 2940; 2950
15. Information disclosure statement 609.04; 2909.03; 2920.05(a); 2920.05(f)
16. Juristic Entity 714.01(c); 2920.01; 2920.05(a)
17. Naming of inventors 604; 2909; 2920; 2920.01; 2920.04(c); 2920.05(b)
18. Non Publication of 901.03
19. Processing of 2920
20. Publication 2901
21. Representation 2911
22. Reproductions (drawings) 2901; 2909; 2909.01; 2909.02; 2909.02(a); 2910; 2920.04(a); 2920.04(b); 2920.05(a); 2920.05(b); 2920.05(c)
23. Restriction 2920.04(b); 2920.05; 2920.05(a); 2920.05(b)
24. Secrecy Order 120
25. Time limits 2913; 2914
26. Where to file 2905
27. Who may file 2904
International patent classification 719.05; 906
International Patent Legal Administration 102; 103; 110; 602.01(c)(3); 1730
International searching authority 1840
International Trade Commission 724
International-type search 707; 1852
Internet 502.03; 1730
1. Address 1730
2. Database collections 1730
3. Electronic mail 502.03; 713; 713.01; 713.04
4. Kids Pages 1730
5. "PatentIn" computer software (See alsoSequence rules) 1730; 2430
6. Payment of maintenance fees by 1730; 2510; 2522
7. Publication of Board Decisions 1213.03
8. Publication of the Official Gazette 1703
9. Searching 904.02(c)
10. Usage Policy 502.03; 904.02(c)
11. World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) ; 1801; 1851
Inter partes questions 713.06
Inter partes review 901.04
Interpretation of law, new 1207.02
Intervening rights
1. In reexamination
  1. Ex parte 2293
2. In reinstated patents 2591
3. In reissue 1460
Intervention by assignee 106; 324; 325
Interviews 713
1. Advance indication of issues to be discussed 713.01
2. Allowed application 713.05; 713.10
3. Appointment in advance 713.01
4. Attorney not of record 101; 402.03; 405; 408
5. Design patent practitioner 405; 713.05
6. Authority to conduct 713.05
7. Before filing 713.02
8. Before filing amendment under 37 CFR 1.312 713.10
9. Before first action 706.07(b); 713.01; 713.02
10. Demonstration 713.08
11. During working days only 713.01
12. Electronic mail 502.03; 713; 713.01; 713.04
13. Excluded or suspended attorney or agent 105; 713.05
14. Exhibit 713.08
15. Exposure of other cases during 101; 713.07
16. Field of search 713.02
17. Finally rejected application 706.07(f); 713.09
18. How conducted 713.01
19. Inter partes questions 713.06
20. Interview summary form 713.04; 2281
21. Local attorney 713.03; 713.05
22. Made of record 713.01; 713.04
23. Model 713.08
24. Oral agreement not binding 713.04
25. Patentability report cases 713.01
26. Prior to first Office action 706.07(b); 713.02
27. Prohibited 713.05
28. Protestor participation 1901.07
29. Question of patent validity 1701
30. Record of substance required 713.01; 713.04
31. Reexamination
  1. Ex parte 2281
32. Refused 713.01; 713.02; 713.05; 713.10
33. Requested in continuing application 706.07(b)
34. Requested in Office action 707
35. Sounding out 713.03
36. Special situations 713.05
37. Substance made of record 713.04; 714.13
38. Supplemental examination, prohibited in 2814
39. Telephone 101; 408; 713.01; 713.05; 812.01
40. Time allowed 713.01
41. Video conference 713.01; 713.04; 713.05
42. Video showing 713.01
43. Where held 713.01
Invention (See alsoPatent and Rejection)
1. Brief summary 608.01(d)
2. Detailed description 608.01(g)
3. Made in this country 2138.02
4. Mode of operation 608.01(h)
Inventive entity, Different 2109; 2136.01; 2136.04; 2146.02 - 2146.03(a); 2152.07; 2154.01(d)
Inventive entity, Same(overlapping subject matter) 804; 804.03; 822
Inventor (See alsoApplicant and Pro se applicant) 602.01
1. Common, at least one 211.01; 2109; 2136.01; 2139.03; 2146.03(a); 2154.01(b); 2154.01(d)
2. Continuing application 201.06(c)
3. Correction (SeeCorrection of inventorship)
4. Deceased 409; 409.01(a); 409.01(b); 1806
  1. Execution of oath/declaration by legal representative 602.08(b)
  2. Government property rights statement 151
5. Duty of disclosure by 2001.01; 2002.01
6. Foreign priority 210; 213 - 217; 2152.01
7. Full first or middle name required 602.01(b); 602.08(b)
8. Heirs 409.01(a); 409.01(b)
9. Improper naming 2109; 2137; 2157
10. Initials as a given name 602.08(b)
11. Insane 409.01(b)
12. International application 1806
13. Legally incapacitated 409.01(b)
14. Micro entity status 509.04
15. Name change 602.01(c); 602.08b(b)
  1. Correction 201.05; 602.01(c); 602.08b(b)
  2. Order 602.01(c); 602.08b(b)
  3. Petition 602.01(c)(3)
  4. Typographical, translation error 602; 602.01(c); 602.08(b)
16. None available 409; 409.02; 409.03(b); 602.08(b)
  1. Proof 409.03(a); 409.03(b); 409.03(d)
  2. Proof of irreparable damage 409.03(g)
  3. Proof of proprietary interest 409.03(f); 409.05
17. Order of 602.01(c); 602.08b(b)
18. Pro se 401; 707.07(j); 713.01
19. Refuses to sign 402.03; 409.03; 409.03(d); 602.08(b)
  1. Execution of oath 602.01(c); 602.08(b); 604
20. Representative of 400
21. Requirements 2109; 2157
22. Residence 602.08(b)
23. Rule 1.53(b) 201.06(c)
24. Rule 1.53(d) 201.06(d)
25. Self-prosecuted case 707.07(j); 713.01
26. Small entity status 509.02
27. Unavailable 409; 409.02; 409.03; 602.08(b)
  1. At least one joint inventor available 409.03(a)
  2. Last known address 409.03(e)
  3. Proof 409.03(d)
  4. Proof of irreparable damage 409.03(g)
  5. Proof of proprietary interest 409.03(f); 409.05
Inventor’s certificate
1. Priority benefit 213.05
2. Rejection based on 2135
Inventors Assistance Center 1730
IPS (Interference Practice Specialist) 2302
Irreparable damage, Proof of 409.03(g)
Issue (SeeAllowance and issue)
Issue batch number (no longer used) 1303.01
Issue Classification Form/Sheet/Slip (See alsoForm letters and forms) 903.07; 906; 907; 1302.09; 1302.10; 1302.13
Issue fee 1306
1. After payment 1306.03
2. Credit card payment 1306
3. Deposit account 1303; 1306
4. Failure to pay 711.03(c); 1306
5. Late payment 711.03(c)
6. Petition to accept late fee 711.03(c)
7. Reissue application 1415
8. Who may file 1306
Israel Patent Office (ILPO) 1840; 1840.05; 1860; 1865
Issue of patent 1309
1. Deferred 1306.01
2. Request for simultaneous issuance 1306.02
Issue of patent to applicant 308
Issue of patent to non-applicant assignee 307
Item of information in supplemental examination 2809