MPEP Subject Matter Index (I) – Subject Matter Index

ICIREPAT country codes 201.14(d)
ICIREPAT identification numbers 201.14(d)
Icon, computer generated 1504.01(a)
Identification of papers 502; 503
Identification of priority application 201.14(d)
Identity of inventors under 35 U.S.C. 119 201.13
Idiomatic English 608.01(q)
Illustration (SeeDrawings)
Image File Wrapper (IFW)
1. Artifact 608.02
2. Paper scanning 508; 1410.01
3. Power to inspect not accepted 104
4. Public access 103; 1730
Image File Wrapper (IFW) forms
1. Issue Classification Form/Sheet/Slip, reproduced 1302.09
2. Cited 903.07; 903.07(b); 903.09; 903.09(a); 1302.10; 1302.13
Implied election 818.02; 818.02(a); 818.02(c)
Improper comments, inter partes reexamination 2667
Improper joinder, effect on patent 805
Improper multiple dependent claim 608.01(n)
Improvement (Jepson claim) 2129
Inaccurate claim 2173.03
Inappropriate papers in inter partes reexamination 2667
Incoming-Mail Section (See alsoOffice of Initial Patent Examination (Office of Patent Application Processing)) 501
Incomplete amendments, time for completing 710.02(c); 714.03
Incomplete application 506; 601.01(d); 601.01(e)
1. Claims omitted 601.01(e)
2. Definition 203.06
3. Drawing 506; 601.01(f)
4. Invalid oath 604.06
5. Return of filing fee 506
6. Using again 608.01(u)
Incomplete claim, rejection 706.03(c); 706.03(d); 2172.01
Incomplete protest 1901.03
Incomplete requests for ex parte reexamination 2227
Incomplete requests for inter-partes reexamination 2627
Incomplete response 711.03(a); 714.03
1. Time for completing 710.02(c); 711; 714.03
Incorporation by reference 103; 201.06(c); 201.11; 201.17; 608.01(p); 2163.07; 2163.07(b); 2173.05(s)
1. Foreign priority application 201.13; 2163.07
2. In an Examiner’s Answer during inter partes reexamination 2677
3. Public access to incorporated application 103
Incorrect citation of reference 707.05(g); 710.06
Indefinite claim 706.03(d); 2171 - 2174
1. Alternative phrase 2173.01; 2173.05(h)
2. Antecedent basis 2173.05(e)
3. Breadth compared 2173.04
4. Design applications 1503.01; 1503.02; 1504.04
5. International application 1845; 1874
6. Multiplicity 2173.05(n)
7. Must be considered 2143.03
8. Nonelected claims 821
9. Numerical ranges 2173.05(c)
10. Prolix 2173.05(m)
11. Rejections 706.03(d)
12. 35 U.S.C. 112, first and second paragraph compared 2174; 2185
13. 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. 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; 1901.06; 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)
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
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)
Information on status of application referred to in patent 102
Information reasonably necessary for finding prior art 704.11
Information sent to applicant for guidance 703
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 color
1. Black 707.10; 719.02; 719.05
2. Red 714.18; 719.02
3. Permanent 608.01; 714.07; 714.19
Inoperativeness 2164.07; 2164.08(b)
1. Affidavit 716.07
INPADOC 901.06(a); 905.06
Inquiries, Official and Congressional 203.08(a)
Inquiries regarding patent search, examination, or validity 1701
Inquiry as to status of application 102; 203.08
1. Application published 1128; 1134
Insanity 409; 409.02
Inspection
1. Amendment 714.05
2. Application 103; 104
3. Approval of power 104
4. Assignment 301.01
5. Authorization 402
6. By assignee 104; 106; 106.01
7. By excluded or suspended attorney or agent 105
8. By inventor 106
9. By licensee 106.01
10. Control of, By assignee 106
11. File Information Unit (Record room) 103
12. International application 110
13. Patent file 103
14. Petition 103
15. Record room 103
16. Reissue application 103
17. Right of 103; 104; 106
Insufficient disclosure 608.01(p); 706.03(c); 2161
Insufficient reply 710.02(c); 711.02(a); 711.03(a); 714.03; 2266.01; 2666.30; 2671
Int Cl (International Patent Classification) 903.09
Intellectual property compared 1512
Intellectual Property and High Technology Technical Amendments Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-273) 706.02(a)
Intent to claim 706
Inter-American Convention (See alsoTreaties) 201.13
Interference 2300
1. Abandonment, suppression or concealment, notice 2138
2. Access to files 2306; 2307.02
3. Action after 2308
4. Action after ex-parte reexamination 2284
5. Action after inter partes reexamination 2686.02
6. Action suggesting claims 2304.04
7. Administrative patent judge handles 2301
8. Allowance of losing party’s application (Estoppel) 2308.03
9. Applicant suggests interference with patent 2304.02
10. Applications in different Technology Centers 2304.01(b)
11. Basis of practice 2138.01; 2301.03
12. Between application and patent 2301.03
13. Between applications 2301.03
14. Cancellation of losing party’s claims 2308.03(a)
15. Claim of foreign priority 2304.01(c)
16. Claim interpretation 2301.03
17. Claim presented corresponding to patent claim 2301.03 - 2304.05
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. Copending inter partes reexamination 2686; 2686.02
26. Count, defined 2301.02
27. Counts, formulation of 2301.01
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
32. Diligence, reasonable 2138.01; 2138.06
33. Disclaimer, statutory 706.03(u); 710.02(d)
34. Disposal count 1705
35. Drawing prints 608.02(m)
36. Election of invention not affected 819
37. Entry of amendment filed in connection with motion 2308.02
38. Estoppel 715; 2138.01; 2308.03
39. Evidence 2138.04
40. Examination, Completion of 2303
41. Examiner suggestion 2304.04
42. Final disposal of claims 2308.01
43. Fraud 2010
44. Generic claims 2304.04(b)
45. Identification of patent, corresponding claims presented 2304.02(a)
46. Inequitable conduct 2010
47. Inter partes questions not to be discussed ex parte 2307.01
48. Interference Practice Specialist 2301; 2302; 2303; 2304.04(a); 2304.04(b); 2307.04; 2308.03
49. Interference-in fact, no 2308.03(b)
50. Interfering Subject Matter 2301.03
51. Judicial review 1216; 1216.01
52. Jurisdiction over interference 2307; 2308
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 2686.02
  3. Suspend 2686.02
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. Patentee suggestion 2304.03
61. Petition refusal to initiate 1002.02(c)
62. Power of attorney filed 402.08
63. Preparation of papers by examiner 2302
64. Priority time charts 2138.01
65. Provoking
  1. In ex parte reexamination 2284
  2. In inter partes reexamination 2686.02
66. Public use proceeding 706.03(v)
67. Reduction to practice 2138.01; 2138.05
68. Reexamination
  1. Ex parte, copending with interference 2284
  2. Inter partes, copending with interference 2686; 2686.02
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. Reply to suggestion for claims 710.02(c); 2304.04(b)
74. Requirements for interference 2302
75. Requiring a claim 2304.04(b)
76. Requiring a priority showing 2305
77. Revocation of power of attorney 402.08
78. Search 1302.08; 2304.01(a)
79. Second Interference, no 2308.03(c)
80. Secrecy order application 130; 2306
81. Special dispatch 708.01; 2301
82. Statutory basis 708.01; 2301.01
83. Suggestion of claims 2304.03 - 2304.04(b)
84. Suggestion of claims, time limit 710.02(c)
85. Suspension of action pending outcome of reexamination 2284; 2686.02
86. Suspension of ex parte prosecution 709; 709.01
87. Suspension of related applications 2307.03
88. Terminated open to public 103
89. Testimony 715.07(b)
90. Transfer of application 2304.01(b)
91. Winning party 710.02(b); 2308
92. 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
7. Applicant 1810
8. Applicants different for different designated states 1817.01; 1817.01(a)
9. Assignment document 301
10. Attorney 1807
11. Attorney file reference number 1821
12. Claims 1824
13. Common representative 402.09; 1807
14. Confidential status 101; 110
15. Content 1812
16. Continuation 1817.02
17. Continuation of 201.11(a); 1895
18. Continuation-in-part 1817.02
19. Correspondence 1834
20. Definition 201
21. Deposit accounts 509.01
22. Description 1823
23. Designation fee 1817.01(a)
24. Designation of states 1817.01; 1817.01(a)
25. Drawings 1825; 1893.03(f)
26. Drawings missing 1825
27. Early national stage entry under 35 U.S.C. 371(f) 1893.01; 1893.01(a)(2); 1893.03(b)
28. EFS-Web filing 502.05
29. Elements 1812
30. Errors, rectification of 1836
31. Fees 1827; 1893.01(c); 1896
32. Filing date 1810
33. Foreign filing license 1832
34. Formal requirements 1810
35. Forms (SeePatent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Forms)
36. Home copy 1801; 1848; 1879.04; 1895.01
37. International preliminary examination 1860
38. International search 1843
39. International searching authority 1840
40. Inventor 1817.01; 1817.01(a); 1820; 1893.01(e)
41. Kinds of protection 1817.02
42. Mail service 1834; 1834.02
43. Member states 1817
44. Microorganism deposit 1823.01
45. National stage 1893 - 1896
  1. Submission via EFS-Web 502.05
46. Numbering of sheets 1812
47. Oath 1893.01(e)
48. Parent to national application 201.11(a); 1817.02
49. Power of attorney 1807
50. Precautionary designations 1817.01(a)
51. Prior art effect 1857.01; 1896; 2127; 2136.03
52. Priority 201.13(b); 1828
  1. Restoration of 1828.01
53. Priority document 201.13(b); 1828
54. Publication 1857
55. Record copy 1801; 1828; 1832; 1848
56. Rectification of obvious errors 1836
57. Refund of fees 1827.01; 1850; 1852; 1865.01; 1875.02
58. Representation 402.09
59. Request 1821
60. Search copy 1801; 1827.01; 1840; 1840.01
61. Search fee 1827
62. Search report 707.05; 1844
63. Secrecy order 115; 120; 1832
64. Signature of applicant 1820
65. Time limits 1836; 1842; 1843.05; 1879.01; 1879.01(a)
66. Title 1821
67. Translation for U.S. national stage 1893.01(d)
68. Transmittal fee 1827
69. Transmittal letter 1830
70. Unity of invention 823; 1850; 1875; 1893.03(d)
71. Withdrawal 1859; 1880
International classification 903.09
International patent classification 719.05
International searching authority 1840
International Trade Commission 724
International-type search 707; 1852
Internet 502.03; 1730
1. Address 1730; 2515
2. Database collections 1730
3. Electronic mail 502.03; 713; 713.01; 713.04; 713.05
4. General Information Concerning Patents 703
5. Kids Pages 1730
6. "PatentIn" computer software (See alsoSequence rules) 2430
7. Payment of maintenance fees by 2510; 2522
8. PCT Legal Office 1730
9. Publication of Board Decisions 1213.03
10. Publication of the Official Gazette 1703
11. Searching 904.02(c)
12. Usage Policy 502.03; 904.02(c)
13. World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) ; 1801; 1851
Inter partes questions 713.06
Interpretation of law, new 1207.02
Intervening rights
1. In reexamination
  1. Ex parte 2293
  2. Inter partes 2693
2. In reinstated patents 2591
3. In reissue 1460
Intervention by assignee 106
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
5. Authority to conduct 713.05
6. Before filing 713.02
7. Before filing amendment under 37 CFR 1.312 713.10
8. Before first action 706.07(b); 713.01; 713.02
9. Demonstration 713.08
10. During working days only 713.01
11. Electronic mail 502.03; 713; 713.01; 713.04; 713.05
12. Excluded or suspended attorney or agent 105; 713.05
13. Exhibit 713.08
14. Exposure of other cases during 101; 713.07
15. Field of search 713.02
16. Finally rejected application 706.07(f); 713.09
17. How conducted 713.01
18. Inter partes questions 713.06
19. Interview summary form 713.04; 2281
20. Local attorney 713.03; 713.05
21. Made of record 713.01; 713.04
22. Merged reissue/inter partes reexamination 2686.03
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
  2. Inter partes 2666.30; 2685; 2686.03; 2687
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. Telephone 101; 408; 713.01; 713.05; 812.01
39. Time allowed 713.01
40. Video conference 713.01; 713.04
41. Videotape showing 713.01
42. 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 706.02(k); 706.02(l) - 706.02(l)(3)
Inventive entity, Same(overlapping subject matter) 804; 804.03; 822; 822.01
Inventor (See alsoApplicant and Pro se applicant) 605
1. Common, at least one 201.03; 201.11; 706.02(k); 2137.01
2. Continuing application 201.06(c)
3. Correction (SeeCorrection of inventorship)
4. Deceased 409 - 409.01(f); 1820
  1. Execution of oath/declaration by legal representative 605.04(a)
  2. Government property rights statement 151
5. Duty of disclosure by 2001.01; 2002.01
6. Foreign priority 201.13; 2133.01
7. Full first or middle name required 605.04(b)
8. Heirs 409.01(a); 409.01(d)
9. Initials as a given name 605.04(b)
10. Insane 409; 409.02
11. International application 1812; 1817.01; 1817.01(a)
12. Legally incapacitated 409; 409.02
13. Minor 409
14. Name change 605.04(c); 719.02(b)
  1. Correction 201.03; 201.05
  2. Order 605.04(f)
  3. Petition 605.04(c)
  4. Typographical, translation error 201.03; 601.05
15. None available 409; 409.03(b); 603
  1. Proof 409.03(d)
  2. Proof of irreparable damage 409.03(g)
  3. Proof of proprietary interest 409.03(f)
16. Order of 605.04(f)
17. Pro se 707.07(j); 713.01
18. Refuses to sign 409; 409.03(d); 603
  1. Execution of oath 605.04(b)
19. Representative of 400
20. Requirements 2137.01
21. Residence 605.02
22. Rule 1.53(b) 201.06(c)
23. Rule 1.53(d) 201.06(d)
24. Self-prosecuted case 707.07(j); 713.01
25. Small entity status 509.02
26. Unavailable 409; 409.03; 603
  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)
Inventor’s certificate
1. Priority benefit 201.13(a); 202.04
2. Rejection based on 706.02(e)
Inventors Assistance Center 1730
IPC (International Patent Classification) 903.09
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; 903.07(b); 903.09; 903.09(a); 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
Issue of patent 1309
1. Deferred 1306.01
2. Request for simultaneous issuance 1306.02
Issue of patent to assignee 307
Issuing in another TC without transfer 903.07(b)