What is a transition application under the America Invents Act (AIA)?

Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based)BlueIron Update: 2024-09-09

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.

A transition application under the America Invents Act (AIA) is:

  • Filed on or after March 16, 2013
  • Claims foreign priority to or domestic benefit of an application filed before March 16, 2013

Transition applications may be subject to either pre-AIA or AIA rules depending on the effective filing date of the claimed inventions. The MPEP states: “Transition applications are either pre-AIA first-to-invent applications or AIA first-inventor-to-file applications depending on the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s).” (MPEP 210)

Topics: MPEP 200 - Types and Status of Application; Benefit and Priority Claims Patent Law Patent Procedure
Tags: Disclosure Individuals, Disclosure Timing, Materiality Standard, Prima Facie Case