What is the effective filing date for prior art exceptions under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C)?
Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based)BlueIron Update: 2024-09-10
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.
The effective filing date for prior art exceptions under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) is crucial for determining the applicability of the exception. According to MPEP 717.02(a):
“The effective filing date of a claimed invention is determined on a claim-by-claim basis and not an application-by-application basis.”
This means that different claims within the same application may have different effective filing dates. It’s important to consider the specific subject matter of each claim when determining the applicable date for the prior art exception.