What is an Accelerated Examination Support Document (AESD) and what should it include?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

An Accelerated Examination Support Document (AESD) is a crucial component of the accelerated examination process. According to MPEP 708.02(a), the AESD must include:

• An information disclosure statement (IDS) citing each reference deemed most closely related to the subject matter of each claim.
• For each reference cited, an identification of all the limitations in the claims that are disclosed by the reference.
• A detailed explanation of how each claim is patentable over the references cited.
• A concise statement of the utility of the invention as defined in each independent claim.
• A showing of where each limitation of the claims finds support under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) in the written description of the specification.

The MPEP states: ‘The accelerated examination support document must set forth a prima facie case of patentability for each claim for which accelerated examination is sought.’