MPEP § 2137 — MPEP § 2137
Current through: 2022-07-01

2137-Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(f) 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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 Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 

 Chapter 2100 

 Section 2137 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 2137 Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(f) [R-01.2024]

 [Editor Note: This MPEP section is not applicable to applications
 subject to examination under the first inventor to file (FITF) provisions of the AIA as
 set forth in 35 U.S.C. 100 (note) . See MPEP §
 2159 et seq. to determine whether an application is subject to
 examination under the FITF provisions, and MPEP §
 2150 et seq. for examination of applications subject to those
 provisions. See MPEP § 2157 for rejections based on
 improper naming of the inventor in applications subject to the first inventor to file
 provisions of the AIA. 

 “Derivation” or “derived” as used in the
 discussion below is in the context of pre-AIA law. “Derivation proceedings” as created
 in the AIA are discussed in MPEP § 2310 et seq.] 

 
 Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 
 Conditions for patentability; novelty and loss of right to patent. 

 A person shall be entitled to a patent unless -

 *****

 
 (f) he did not himself invent the subject matter sought to be
 patented.
 

 
 *****

 

 Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C.
 102(f) bars the issuance of a patent where an applicant did not
 invent the subject matter being claimed and sought to be patented. Thus pre-AIA 35 U.S.C.
 102(f) requires that the correct inventorship of a claimed invention
 be named in the patent application (and any subsequently issued patent). In re
 VerHoef, 888 F.3d 1362, 1365, 126 USPQ2d 1561, 1563 (Fed. Cir. 2018);
 Pannu v. Iolab Corp., 155 F.3d 1344, 1349-50, 47 USPQ2d 1657, 1662
 (Fed. Cir. 1998). See also 35 U.S.C. 101 , which requires that
 whoever invents or discovers is the party who may obtain a patent for the particular
 invention or discovery. 
 

 The examiner must presume the applicants are the proper
 inventor unless there is evidence of record that another made the invention and that the
 applicants derived the invention from the true inventor. In the uncommon situation where it
 is clear the application does not name the correct inventorship and there has been no
 request to correct inventorship under 37 CFR 1.48 , the examiner should reject
 the claims under pre-AIA
 35 U.S.C. 102(f) . In re VerHoef, 888 F.3d 1362,
 1368, 126 USPQ2d 1561, 1566 (Fed. Cir. 2018) (an affidavit by applicant made it “clear that
 he did not himself solely invent the subject matter sought to be patented” because it
 established that another person was a joint inventor of the claimed invention). 
 

 Where it can be shown that an inventor or at least one joint inventor
 “derived” an invention from another, a rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(f) is proper.
 Ex parte Kusko, 215 USPQ 972, 974 (Bd. App. 1981) (“most, if not all,
 determinations under section 102(f) involve the question of whether one party derived an
 invention from another”).
 

 While derivation will bar the issuance of a patent to the deriver, a
 disclosure by the deriver, absent a bar under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) , will not bar
 the issuance of a patent to the party from which the subject matter was derived.
 In re Costello, 717 F.2d 1346, 1349, 219 USPQ 389, 390-91 (Fed. Cir.
 1983) (“[a] prior art reference that is not a statutory bar may be overcome [in an
 application subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 ] by two generally recognized methods”: an
 affidavit under 37
 CFR 1.131 , or an attribution affidavit under 37 CFR 1.132 );
 In re Facius, 408 F.2d 1396, 1407, 161 USPQ 294, 302 (CCPA 1969) (if
 an inventor or at least one joint inventor “… invented the subject matter upon which the
 relevant disclosure in the patent was based, then the patent may not be used as a reference
 against him notwithstanding the patent's silence as to the patentee's [inventive entity’s]
 source of that subject matter.”). See MPEP §§ 715.01 et seq. and 716.10 

 Where there is a published article identifying the authorship
 ( MPEP §
 715.01(c) ) or a patent identifying the inventorship
 ( MPEP §
 715.01(a) ) that discloses subject matter being claimed in an
 application undergoing examination, the designation of authorship or inventorship does not
 raise a presumption of inventorship with respect to the subject matter disclosed in the
 article or with respect to the subject matter disclosed but not claimed in the patent so as
 to justify a rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(f) . However, it
 is incumbent upon the applicant of the application, in reply to an inquiry regarding the
 appropriate inventorship under pre-AIA subsection (f) , or to rebut a
 rejection under pre-AIA
 35 U.S.C. 102(a) or (e) , to provide a satisfactory showing by way of
 an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.132 that the inventorship of
 the application is correct in that the reference discloses subject matter invented by the
 inventor or at least one joint inventor rather than derived from the author or inventive
 entity notwithstanding the authorship of the article or the inventorship of the patent,
 respectively. In re Katz, 687 F.2d 450, 455, 215 USPQ 14, 18 (CCPA 1982)
 (inquiry is appropriate to clarify any ambiguity created by an article regarding
 inventorship, and it is then incumbent upon the applicant to provide “a satisfactory
 showing that would lead to a reasonable conclusion that [inventor or at least one joint
 inventor] is the…inventor” of the subject matter disclosed in the article and claimed in
 the application).
 

 In addition, subject matter qualifying as prior art only under
 pre-AIA 35 U.S.C.
 102(f) may also be the basis for an ex parte 
 rejection under pre‑AIA
 35 U.S.C. 103 . However, pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(c) states that
 subsection (f) of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 will not preclude
 patentability where subject matter developed by another person, that would otherwise
 qualify under pre-AIA 35
 U.S.C. 102(f) , and the claimed invention of an application under
 examination were owned by the same person, subject to an obligation of assignment to the
 same person, or involved in a joint research agreement, which meets the requirements of
 pre-AIA 35 U.S.C.
 103(c)(2) and (c)(3) , at the time the invention was made. See
 MPEP §
 2146 .
 

 I. DERIVATION REQUIRES COMPLETE CONCEPTION BY ANOTHER AND COMMUNICATION TO THE
 ALLEGED DERIVER “The mere fact that a claim recites the use of various components, each
 of which can be argumentatively assumed to be old, does not provide a proper basis for a
 rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(f) .” Ex parte Billottet, 
 192 USPQ 413, 415 (Bd. App. 1976). Derivation requires complete conception by another
 and communication of that conception by any means to the party charged with derivation
 prior to any date on which it can be shown that the one charged with derivation
 possessed knowledge of the invention. Kilbey v. Thiele, 199 USPQ 290,
 294 (Bd. Pat. Inter. 1978).
 

 See also Price v. Symsek, 988 F.2d 1187, 1190,
 26 USPQ2d 1031, 1033 (Fed. Cir. 1993); Hedgewick v. Akers, 497 F.2d
 905, 908, 182 USPQ 167, 169 (CCPA 1974). “Communication of a complete conception must be
 sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to construct and successfully
 operate the invention.” Hedgewick, 497 F.2d at 908, 182 USPQ at 169.
 See also Gambro Lundia AB v. Baxter Healthcare Corp., 110 F.3d 1573,
 1577, 42 USPQ2d 1378, 1383 (Fed. Cir. 1997) (Issue in proving derivation is “whether the
 communication enabled one of ordinary skill in the art to make the patented
 invention.”).
 

 II. PARTY ALLEGING DERIVATION DOES NOT HAVE TO PROVE AN ACTUAL REDUCTION TO PRACTICE,
 DERIVATION OF PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE, OR DERIVATION IN THIS COUNTRY The party alleging derivation “need not prove an actual reduction to
 practice in order to show derivation.” Scott v. Brandenburger, 216
 USPQ 326, 327 (Bd. App. 1982). Furthermore, the application of subsection (f) is
 not limited to public knowledge derived from another, and “the
 site of derivation need not be in this country to bar a deriver from patenting the
 subject matter.” Ex parte Andresen, 212 USPQ 100, 102 (Bd. App.
 1981).
 

 III. DERIVATION DISTINGUISHED FROM PRIORITY OF INVENTION Although derivation and priority of invention both focus on
 inventorship, derivation addresses originality (i.e., who invented the subject matter),
 whereas priority focuses on which party first invented the subject matter.
 Price v. Symsek, 988 F.2d 1187, 1190, 26 USPQ2d 1031, 1033 (Fed.
 Cir. 1993).
 

 IV. PRE-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(f) MAY APPLY WHERE PRE-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a) AND PRE-AIA 35
 U.S.C. 102(e) ARE NOT AVAILABLE STATUTORY GROUNDS FOR REJECTION Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C.
 102(f) does not require an inquiry into the relative dates of a
 reference and the application, and therefore may be applicable where pre-AIA subsections (a) and
 (e) are not available for references having an effective date
 subsequent to the effective filing date of the claimed invention in the application
 being examined. However, for a reference having a date later than the effective filing
 date of the claimed invention in the application some evidence may exist that the
 subject matter of the reference was derived from the inventor or at least one joint
 inventor in view of the relative dates. Ex parte Kusko, 215 USPQ 972,
 974 (Bd. App. 1981) (The relative dates of the events are important in determining
 derivation; a publication dated more than a year after the effective filing date of the
 claimed invention that merely lists as literary coauthors individuals other than the
 inventor is not the strong evidence needed to rebut a declaration by the inventor that
 he is the sole inventor.).
 

 
 2137.01 [Reserved] 

 [Editor Note: Information pertaining to inventorship has been moved to
 MPEP
 § 2109 , and information specific to joint inventorship has
 been moved to MPEP § 2109.01 .] 

 

 

 
 2137.02 [Reserved] 

 [Editor Note: Information pertaining to the applicability of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C.
 103(c) to obviousness rejections relying on pre-AIA 35 U.S.C.
 102(f) subject matter has been moved to MPEP § 2137 .
 Information regarding inventorship “by another” has been moved to
 MPEP
 § 2109 , subsection V.] 

 

 [top] 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 2101-2102-[Reserved] 

 2103-Patent Examination Process 

 2104-Requirements of 35 U.S.C. 101 
 2104.01-Barred by Atomic Energy Act 

 
 

 2105-Patent Eligible Subject Matter — Living Subject Matter 

 2106-Patent Subject Matter Eligibility 
 2106.01-[Reserved] 

 2106.02-[Reserved] 

 2106.03-Eligibility Step 1: The Four Categories of Statutory Subject Matter 

 2106.04-Eligibility Step 2A: Whether a Claim is Directed to a Judicial Exception 
 2106.04(a)-Abstract Ideas 
 2106.04(a)(1)-Examples of Claims That Do Not Recite Abstract Ideas 

 2106.04(a)(2)-Abstract Idea Groupings 

 2106.04(a)(3)-Tentative Abstract Ideas 

 
 

 2106.04(b)-Laws of Nature, Natural Phenomena & Products of Nature 

 2106.04(c)-The Markedly Different Characteristics Analysis 

 2106.04(d)-Integration of a Judicial Exception Into A Practical Application 
 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 

 2106.04(d)(2)-Particular Treatment and Prophylaxis in Step 2A Prong Two 

 
 

 
 

 2106.05-Eligibility Step 2B: Whether a Claim Amounts to Significantly More 
 2106.05(a)-Improvements to the Functioning of a Computer or To Any Other Technology or Technical Field 

 2106.05(b)-Particular Machine 

 2106.05(c)-Particular Transformation 

 2106.05(d)-Well-Understood, Routine, Conventional Activity 

 2106.05(e)-Other Meaningful Limitations 

 2106.05(f)-Mere Instructions To Apply An Exception 

 2106.05(g)-Insignificant Extra-Solution Activity 

 2106.05(h)-Field of Use and Technological Environment 

 
 

 2106.06-Streamlined Analysis 
 2106.06(a)-Eligibility is Self Evident 

 2106.06(b)-Clear Improvement to a Technology or to Computer Functionality 

 
 

 2106.07-Formulating and Supporting Rejections For Lack Of Subject Matter Eligibility 
 2106.07(a)-Formulating a Rejection For Lack of Subject Matter Eligibility 
 2106.07(a)(1)-Form Paragraphs for use in Lack of Subject Matter Eligibility Rejections 

 
 

 2106.07(b)-Evaluating Applicant’s Response 

 2106.07(c)-Clarifying the Record 

 
 

 
 

 2107-Guidelines for Examination of Applications for Compliance with the Utility Requirement 
 2107.01-General Principles Governing Utility Rejections 

 2107.02-Procedural Considerations Related to Rejections for Lack of Utility 

 2107.03-Special Considerations for Asserted Therapeutic or Pharmacological Utilities 

 
 

 2108-[Reserved] 

 2109-Inventorship 

 2109.01-Joint Inventorship 

 2110-[Reserved] 

 2111-Claim Interpretation; Broadest Reasonable Interpretation 
 2111.01-Plain Meaning 

 2111.02-Effect of Preamble 

 2111.03-Transitional Phrases 

 2111.04-“Adapted to,” “Adapted for,” “Wherein,” “Whereby,” and Contingent Clauses 

 2111.05-Functional and Nonfunctional Descriptive Material 

 
 

 2112-Requirements of Rejection Based on Inherency; Burden of Proof 
 2112.01-Composition, Product, and Apparatus Claims 

 2112.02-Process Claims 

 
 

 2113-Product-by-Process Claims 

 2114-Apparatus and Article Claims — Functional Language 

 2115-Material or Article Worked Upon by Apparatus 

 2116-Novel, Nonobvious Starting Material or End Product 
 2116.01-Novel, Nonobvious Starting Material or End Product 

 
 

 2117-Markush Claims 

 2118-2119-[Reserved] 

 2120-Rejection on Prior Art 
 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 

 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 

 
 

 2121-Prior Art; General Level of Operability Required to Make a Prima Facie Case 
 2121.01-Use of Prior Art in Rejections Where Operability is in Question 

 2121.02-Compounds and Compositions — What Constitutes Enabling Prior Art 

 2121.03-Plant Genetics — What Constitutes Enabling Prior Art 

 2121.04-Apparatus and Articles — What Constitutes Enabling Prior Art 

 
 

 2122-Discussion of Utility in the Prior Art 

 2123-Rejection Over Prior Art’s Broad Disclosure Instead of Preferred Embodiments 

 2124-Exception to the Rule That the Reference Must be Prior Art 
 2124.01-Tax Strategies Deemed Within the Prior Art 

 
 

 2125-Drawings as Prior Art 

 2126-Availability of a Document as a “Patent” for Purposes of Rejection Under 35 U.S.C. 102(a) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a), (b),
 and (d) 
 2126.01-Date of Availability of a Patent as a Reference 

 2126.02-Scope of Reference’s Disclosure Which Can Be Used to Reject Claims When the Reference Is a “Patent” but Not a “Publication” 

 
 

 2127-Domestic and Foreign Patent Applications as Prior Art 

 2128-“Printed Publications” as Prior Art 
 2128.01-Level of Public Accessibility Required 

 2128.02-Date Publication Is Available as a Reference 

 
 

 2129-Admissions as Prior Art 

 2130-[Reserved] 

 2131-Anticipation — Application of 35 U.S.C. 102 
 2131.01-Multiple Reference 35 U.S.C. 102 Rejections 

 2131.02-Genus-Species Situations 

 2131.03-Anticipation of Ranges 

 2131.04-Secondary Considerations 

 2131.05-Nonanalogous or Disparaging Prior Art 

 
 

 2132-Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a) 
 2132.01-Overcoming a Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a) Rejection based on a Printed Publication or Patent 

 
 

 2133-Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) 
 2133.01-Rejections of Continuation-In-Part (CIP) Applications 

 2133.02-Rejections Based on Publications and Patents 
 2133.02(a)-Overcoming a Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) Rejection Based on a Printed Publication or Patent 

 
 

 2133.03-Rejections Based on “Public Use” or “On Sale” 
 2133.03(a)-“Public Use” 

 2133.03(b)-“On Sale” 

 2133.03(c)-The “Invention” 

 2133.03(d)-“In This Country” 

 2133.03(e)-Permitted Activity; Experimental Use 
 2133.03(e)(1)-Commercial Exploitation 

 2133.03(e)(2)-Intent 

 2133.03(e)(3)-“Completeness” of the Invention 

 2133.03(e)(4)-Factors Indicative of an Experimental Purpose 

 2133.03(e)(5)-Experimentation and Degree of Supervision and Control 

 2133.03(e)(6)-Permitted Experimental Activity and Testing 

 2133.03(e)(7)-Activity of an Independent Third Party Inventor 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 2134-Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(c) 

 2135-Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(d) 
 2135.01-The Four Requirements of Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(d) 

 
 

 2136-Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) 
 2136.01-Status of Unpublished or Published as Redacted U.S. Application as a Reference Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) 

 2136.02-Content of the Prior Art Available Against the Claims 

 2136.03-Critical Reference Date 

 2136.04-Different Inventive Entity; Meaning of “By Another” 

 2136.05-Overcoming a Rejection Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) 
 2136.05(a)-Antedating a Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) Reference 

 2136.05(b)-Showing The Reference Is Describing An Inventor's Or At Least One Joint Inventor's Own Work 

 
 

 
 

 2137-Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(f) 
 2137.01-[Reserved] 

 2137.02-[Reserved] 

 
 

 2138-Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g) 
 2138.01-Interference Practice 

 2138.02-“The Invention Was Made in This Country” 

 2138.03-“By Another Who Has Not Abandoned, Suppressed, or Concealed It” 

 2138.04-“Conception” 

 2138.05-“Reduction to Practice” 

 2138.06-“Reasonable Diligence” 

 
 

 2139-Rejections Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 
 2139.01-Effective Filing Date of a Claimed Invention Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 

 2139.02-Determining Whether To Apply Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a), (b), or (e) 

 2139.03-Form Paragraphs for Use in Rejections Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 

 
 

 2140-[Reserved] 

 2141-Examination Guidelines for Determining Obviousness Under 35 U.S.C. 103 
 2141.01-Scope and Content of the Prior Art 
 2141.01(a)-Analogous and Nonanalogous Art 

 
 

 2141.02-Differences Between Prior Art and Claimed Invention 

 2141.03-Level of Ordinary Skill in the Art 

 
 

 2142-Legal Concept of Prima Facie Obviousness 

 2143-Examples of Basic Requirements of a Prima Facie Case of Obviousness 
 2143.01-Suggestion or Motivation To Modify the References 

 2143.02-Reasonable Expectation of Success Is Required 

 2143.03-All Claim Limitations Must Be Considered 

 
 

 2144-Supporting a Rejection Under 35 U.S.C. 103 
 2144.01-Implicit Disclosure 

 2144.02-Reliance on Scientific Theory 

 2144.03-Reliance on Common Knowledge in the Art or “Well Known” Prior Art 

 2144.04-Legal Precedent as Source of Supporting Rationale 

 2144.05-Obviousness of Similar and Overlapping Ranges, Amounts, and Proportions 

 2144.06-Art Recognized Equivalence for the Same Purpose 

 2144.07-Art Recognized Suitability for an Intended Purpose 

 2144.08-Obviousness of Species When Prior Art Teaches Genus 

 2144.09-Close Structural Similarity Between Chemical Compounds (Homologs, Analogues, Isomers) 

 
 

 2145-Consideration of Applicant’s Rebuttal Arguments and Evidence 

 2146-Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(c) 
 2146.01-Prior Art Disqualification Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(c) 

 2146.02-Establishing Common Ownership or Joint Research Agreement Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(c) 

 2146.03-Examination Procedure With Respect to Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(c) 
 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) 

 
 

 
 

 2147-Biotechnology Process Applications; Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(b) 

 2148-Form Paragraphs for Use in Rejections Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 

 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 

 2151-Overview of the Changes to 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 in the AIA 

 2152-Detailed Discussion of AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a) and (b) 
 2152.01-Effective Filing Date of the Claimed Invention 

 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) 
 2152.02(a)-Patented 

 2152.02(b)-Described in a Printed Publication 

 2152.02(c)-In Public Use 

 2152.02(d)-On Sale 

 2152.02(e)-Otherwise Available to the Public 

 2152.02(f)-No Requirement of “By Others” 

 
 

 2152.03-Admissions 

 2152.04-The Meaning of “Disclosure” 

 2152.05-Determining Whether To Apply 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) or 102(a)(2) 

 2152.06-Overcoming a 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) or 102(a)(2) Rejection 

 2152.07-Form Paragraphs for Use in Rejections Under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 

 
 

 2153-Prior Art Exceptions Under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) 
 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) 
 2153.01(a)-Grace Period Inventor-Originated Disclosure Exception 

 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) 

 
 

 2154-Provisions Pertaining to Subject Matter in a U.S. Patent or Application Effectively Filed Before the Effective Filing Date
 of the Claimed Invention 
 2154.01-Prior Art Under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) “U.S. Patent Documents” 
 2154.01(a)-WIPO Published Applications 

 2154.01(b)-Determining When Subject Matter Was Effectively Filed Under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(d) 

 2154.01(c)-Requirement Of “Names Another Inventor” 

 2154.01(d)-Provisional Rejections Under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2); Reference Is a Copending U.S. Patent Application 

 
 

 2154.02-Prior Art Exceptions Under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2) to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) 
 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) 

 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) 

 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) 

 
 

 
 

 2155-Use of Affidavits or Declarations Under 37 CFR 1.130 To Overcome Prior Art Rejections 
 2155.01-Showing That the Disclosure Was Made by the Inventor or a Joint Inventor 

 2155.02-Showing That the Subject Matter Disclosed Had Been Previously Publicly Disclosed by the Inventor or a Joint Inventor 

 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 

 2155.04-Enablement 

 2155.05-Who May File an Affidavit or Declaration Under 37 CFR 1.130 

 2155.06-Situations in Which an Affidavit or Declaration Is Not Available 

 
 

 2156-Joint Research Agreements 

 2157-Improper Naming of Inventors 

 2158-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 
 2158.01-Form Paragraphs for Use in Rejections Under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 

 
 

 2159-Applicability Date Provisions and Determining Whether an Application Is Subject to the First Inventor To File Provisions of
 the AIA 
 2159.01-Applications Filed Before March 16, 2013 

 2159.02-Applications Filed on or After March 16, 2013 

 2159.03-Applications Subject to the AIA but Also Containing a Claimed Invention Having an Effective Filing Date Before March 16, 2013 

 2159.04-Applicant Statement in Transition Applications Containing a Claimed Invention Having an Effective Filing Date on or After
 March 16, 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 
 2161.01-Computer Programming, Computer Implemented Inventions, and 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, First Paragraph 

 
 

 2162-Policy Underlying 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, First Paragraph 

 2163-Guidelines for the Examination of Patent Applications Under the 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph,
 “Written Description” Requirement 
 2163.01-Support for the Claimed Subject Matter in Disclosure 

 2163.02-Standard for Determining Compliance With the Written Description Requirement 

 2163.03-Typical Circumstances Where Adequate Written Description Issue Arises 

 2163.04-Burden on the Examiner with Regard to the Written Description Requirement 

 2163.05-Changes to the Scope of Claims 

 2163.06-Relationship of Written Description Requirement to New Matter 

 2163.07-Amendments to Application Which Are Supported in the Original Description 
 2163.07(a)-Inherent Function, Theory, or Advantage 

 2163.07(b)-Incorporation by Reference 

 
 

 
 

 2164-The Enablement Requirement 
 2164.01-Test of Enablement 
 2164.01(a)-Undue Experimentation Factors 

 2164.01(b)-How to Make the Claimed Invention 

 2164.01(c)-How to Use the Claimed Invention 

 
 

 2164.02-Working and Prophetic Examples 

 2164.03-Relationship of Predictability of the Art and the Enablement Requirement 

 2164.04-Burden on the Examiner Under the Enablement Requirement 

 2164.05-Determination of Enablement Based on Evidence as a Whole 
 2164.05(a)-Specification Must Be Enabling as of the Filing Date 

 2164.05(b)-Specification Must Be Enabling to Persons Skilled in the Art 

 
 

 2164.06-Quantity of Experimentation 
 2164.06(a)-Examples of Enablement Issues-Missing Information 

 2164.06(b)-Examples of Enablement Issues — Biological and Chemical Cases 

 2164.06(c)-Examples of Enablement Issues – Computer Programming Cases 

 
 

 2164.07-Relationship of Enablement Requirement to Utility Requirement of 35 U.S.C. 101 

 2164.08-Enablement Commensurate in Scope With the Claims 
 2164.08(a)-Single Means Claim 

 2164.08(b)-Inoperative Subject Matter 

 2164.08(c)-Critical Feature Not Claimed 

 
 

 
 

 2165-The Best Mode Requirement 
 2165.01-Considerations Relevant to Best Mode 

 2165.02-Best Mode Requirement Compared to Enablement Requirement 

 2165.03-Requirements for Rejection for Lack of Best Mode 

 2165.04-Examples of Evidence of Concealment 

 
 

 2166-Rejections Under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, First Paragraph 

 2167-2170-[Reserved] 

 2171-Two Separate Requirements for Claims Under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, Second Paragraph 

 2172-Subject Matter Which the Inventor or a Joint Inventor Regards as The Invention 
 2172.01-Unclaimed Essential Subject Matter 

 
 

 2173-Claims Must Particularly Point Out and Distinctly Claim the Invention 
 2173.01-Interpreting the Claims 

 2173.02-Determining Whether Claim Language is Definite 

 2173.03-Correspondence Between Specification and Claims 

 2173.04-Breadth Is Not Indefiniteness 

 2173.05-Specific Topics Related to Issues Under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, Second Paragraph 
 2173.05(a)-New Terminology 

 2173.05(b)-Relative Terminology 

 2173.05(c)-Numerical Ranges and Amounts Limitations 

 2173.05(d)-Exemplary Claim Language (“for example,” “such as”) 

 2173.05(e)-Lack of Antecedent Basis 

 2173.05(f)-Reference to Limitations in Another Claim 

 2173.05(g)-Functional Limitations 

 2173.05(h)-Alternative Limitations 

 2173.05(i)-Negative Limitations 

 2173.05(j)-Old Combination 

 2173.05(k)-Aggregation 

 2173.05(l)-[Reserved] 

 2173.05(m)-Prolix 

 2173.05(n)-Multiplicity 

 2173.05(o)-Double Inclusion 

 2173.05(p)-Claim Directed to Product-By- Process or Product and Process 

 2173.05(q)-“Use” Claims 

 2173.05(r)-Omnibus Claim 

 2173.05(s)-Reference to Figures or Tables 

 2173.05(t)-Chemical Formula 

 2173.05(u)-Trademarks or Trade Names in a Claim 

 2173.05(v)-Mere Function of Machine 

 
 

 2173.06-Practice Compact Prosecution 

 
 

 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 

 2175-Form Paragraphs for Use in Rejections Under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, Second Paragraph 

 2176-2180-[Reserved] 

 2181-Identifying and Interpreting a 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, Sixth Paragraph Limitation 

 2182-Search and Identification of the Prior Art 

 2183-Making a Prima Facie Case of Equivalence 

 2184-Determining Whether an Applicant Has Met the Burden of Proving Nonequivalence After a Prima Facie Case Is Made 

 2185-Related Issues Under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or (b) and Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, First or Second Paragraphs 

 2186-Relationship to the Doctrine of Equivalents 

 2187-Form Paragraphs for Use Relating to 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, Sixth Paragraph 

 2188-2189-[Reserved] 

 2190-Prosecution Laches and Res Judicata 

 

 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 

 
 
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 03/09/2026 20:49:32