MPEP § 1111 — SIR Publication and Effect (Annotated Rules)

§1111 SIR Publication and Effect

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2025-12-31

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 1111, including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.

SIR Publication and Effect

This section addresses SIR Publication and Effect. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 157, 35 U.S.C. 157(c), and 35 U.S.C. 102(g). Contains: 1 prohibition, 2 guidance statements, 2 permissions, and 9 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Statutory Invention Registration (Discontinued)

5 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1111-bb5f3c01025a0e6bf9dd4363]
Statutory Invention Registration Attributes Must Be Stated
Note:
Each statutory invention registration published must include a statement that it is not a patent but has defensive attributes similar to a patent.

(b) Each statutory invention registration published will include a statement relating to the attributes of a statutory invention registration. The statement will read as follows: A statutory invention registration is not a patent. It has the defensive attributes of a patent but does not have the enforceable attributes of a patent. No article or advertisement or the like may use the term patent, or any term suggestive of a patent, when referring to a statutory invention registration. For more specific information on the rights associated with a statutory invention registration see 35 U.S.C. 157.

Jump to MPEP SourceStatutory Invention Registration (Discontinued)SIR Patent Rights Waiver
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1111-3af515fb8c269f43163f543d]
No Term Patent May Be Used for Statutory Invention Registration
Note:
This rule prohibits the use of terms suggesting a patent when referring to a statutory invention registration.

(b) Each statutory invention registration published will include a statement relating to the attributes of a statutory invention registration. The statement will read as follows: A statutory invention registration is not a patent. It has the defensive attributes of a patent but does not have the enforceable attributes of a patent. No article or advertisement or the like may use the term patent, or any term suggestive of a patent, when referring to a statutory invention registration. For more specific information on the rights associated with a statutory invention registration see 35 U.S.C. 157.

Jump to MPEP SourceStatutory Invention Registration (Discontinued)SIR Patent Rights Waiver
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1111-1c32d9b0b5b01f50cff48eee]
Statutory Invention Registration Is Not a Patent
Note:
A statutory invention registration does not have the enforceable attributes of a patent but provides defensive attributes similar to those of a patent.

(b) Each statutory invention registration published will include a statement relating to the attributes of a statutory invention registration. The statement will read as follows: A statutory invention registration is not a patent. It has the defensive attributes of a patent but does not have the enforceable attributes of a patent. No article or advertisement or the like may use the term patent, or any term suggestive of a patent, when referring to a statutory invention registration. For more specific information on the rights associated with a statutory invention registration see 35 U.S.C. 157.

Jump to MPEP SourceStatutory Invention Registration (Discontinued)SIR Patent Rights Waiver
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1111-18d41249a39a1e7a647482a2]
Statutory Invention Registration Numbers Are Sequentially Assigned
Note:
Published SIRs are assigned numbers in a separate H series starting with H1.

Published SIRs are sequentially numbered in a separate “H” series, starting with number “H1”. For a description of the “kind codes” used on other documents published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, see MPEP § 901.04(a).

Jump to MPEP SourceStatutory Invention Registration (Discontinued)
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1111-fa8589ecd4e1d854c6337aa9]
Statutory Invention Registration Published Sequentially
Note:
Published SIRs are numbered in a separate H series starting with H1.

Published SIRs are sequentially numbered in a separate “H” series, starting with number “H1”. For a description of the “kind codes” used on other documents published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, see MPEP § 901.04(a).

Jump to MPEP SourceStatutory Invention Registration (Discontinued)
Topic

SIR Patent Rights Waiver

5 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1111-70910bf29434d206d6460f79]
Statutory Invention Registration Is Not a Patent
Note:
A statutory invention registration does not have the enforceable attributes of a patent but provides defensive benefits similar to those of a patent.

(b) Each statutory invention registration published will include a statement relating to the attributes of a statutory invention registration. The statement will read as follows: A statutory invention registration is not a patent. It has the defensive attributes of a patent but does not have the enforceable attributes of a patent. No article or advertisement or the like may use the term patent, or any term suggestive of a patent, when referring to a statutory invention registration. For more specific information on the rights associated with a statutory invention registration see 35 U.S.C. 157.

Jump to MPEP SourceSIR Patent Rights WaiverStatutory Invention Registration (Discontinued)
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1111-06a1fdf36829fbb6f93dedf7]
Waiver of Patent Rights Takes Effect on Publication for Related Applications
Note:
The waiver of patent rights to the subject matter claimed in a statutory invention registration takes effect upon publication and may affect the patentability of claims in related applications without SIR requests.

The waiver of patent rights to the subject matter claimed in a statutory invention registration takes effect on publication (pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.293(c)) and may affect the patentability of claims in related applications without SIR requests, such as divisional or other continuing applications, since the waiver of patent rights is effective for all inventions claimed in the SIR and would effectively waive the right of the inventor to obtain a patent on the invention claimed in the same application or on the same invention claimed in any other application not issued before the publication date of the SIR. If an application containing generic claims is published as a SIR, the waiver in that application applies to any other related applications to the extent that the same invention claimed in the SIR is claimed in the other application. Examiners should apply standards similar to those applied in making “same invention” double patenting determinations to determine whether a waiver by an inventor to claims in a SIR precludes patenting by the same inventor to subject matter in any related application. If the same subject matter is claimed in an application and in a published statutory invention registration naming a common inventor, the claims in the application should be rejected as being precluded by the waiver in the statutory invention registration. A rejection as being precluded by a waiver in a SIR cannot be overcome by a terminal disclaimer.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.293(c))SIR Patent Rights WaiverStatutory Invention Registration (Discontinued)Effect of SIR Publication
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1111-01504ca7c9107840304816db]
Waiver Applies to Related Applications
Note:
If an application containing generic claims is published as a SIR, the waiver in that application applies to any other related applications claiming the same invention.

The waiver of patent rights to the subject matter claimed in a statutory invention registration takes effect on publication (pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.293(c)) and may affect the patentability of claims in related applications without SIR requests, such as divisional or other continuing applications, since the waiver of patent rights is effective for all inventions claimed in the SIR and would effectively waive the right of the inventor to obtain a patent on the invention claimed in the same application or on the same invention claimed in any other application not issued before the publication date of the SIR. If an application containing generic claims is published as a SIR, the waiver in that application applies to any other related applications to the extent that the same invention claimed in the SIR is claimed in the other application. Examiners should apply standards similar to those applied in making “same invention” double patenting determinations to determine whether a waiver by an inventor to claims in a SIR precludes patenting by the same inventor to subject matter in any related application. If the same subject matter is claimed in an application and in a published statutory invention registration naming a common inventor, the claims in the application should be rejected as being precluded by the waiver in the statutory invention registration. A rejection as being precluded by a waiver in a SIR cannot be overcome by a terminal disclaimer.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.293(c))SIR Patent Rights WaiverStatutory Invention Registration (Discontinued)Effect of SIR Publication
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-1111-e4ae74b661223eef8ae02c66]
Same Subject Matter Claimed in SIR and Application Rejected
Note:
If the same subject matter is claimed in an application and a published statutory invention registration naming a common inventor, claims in the application should be rejected due to waiver.

The waiver of patent rights to the subject matter claimed in a statutory invention registration takes effect on publication (pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.293(c)) and may affect the patentability of claims in related applications without SIR requests, such as divisional or other continuing applications, since the waiver of patent rights is effective for all inventions claimed in the SIR and would effectively waive the right of the inventor to obtain a patent on the invention claimed in the same application or on the same invention claimed in any other application not issued before the publication date of the SIR. If an application containing generic claims is published as a SIR, the waiver in that application applies to any other related applications to the extent that the same invention claimed in the SIR is claimed in the other application. Examiners should apply standards similar to those applied in making “same invention” double patenting determinations to determine whether a waiver by an inventor to claims in a SIR precludes patenting by the same inventor to subject matter in any related application. If the same subject matter is claimed in an application and in a published statutory invention registration naming a common inventor, the claims in the application should be rejected as being precluded by the waiver in the statutory invention registration. A rejection as being precluded by a waiver in a SIR cannot be overcome by a terminal disclaimer.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.293(c))SIR Patent Rights WaiverStatutory Invention Registration (Discontinued)Effect of SIR Publication
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-1111-8342973a00bb4cd700b84698]
Waiver in SIR Cannot Be Overridden by Terminal Disclaimer
Note:
A rejection due to a waiver in a statutory invention registration cannot be overcome with a terminal disclaimer.

The waiver of patent rights to the subject matter claimed in a statutory invention registration takes effect on publication (pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.293(c)) and may affect the patentability of claims in related applications without SIR requests, such as divisional or other continuing applications, since the waiver of patent rights is effective for all inventions claimed in the SIR and would effectively waive the right of the inventor to obtain a patent on the invention claimed in the same application or on the same invention claimed in any other application not issued before the publication date of the SIR. If an application containing generic claims is published as a SIR, the waiver in that application applies to any other related applications to the extent that the same invention claimed in the SIR is claimed in the other application. Examiners should apply standards similar to those applied in making “same invention” double patenting determinations to determine whether a waiver by an inventor to claims in a SIR precludes patenting by the same inventor to subject matter in any related application. If the same subject matter is claimed in an application and in a published statutory invention registration naming a common inventor, the claims in the application should be rejected as being precluded by the waiver in the statutory invention registration. A rejection as being precluded by a waiver in a SIR cannot be overcome by a terminal disclaimer.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.293(c))SIR Patent Rights WaiverStatutory Invention Registration (Discontinued)Effect of SIR Publication
Topic

Correspondence Address Requirements

3 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1111-284b5b36c35db42e11039b31]
Published Upon Approval of Request
Note:
If a statutory invention registration request is approved, it will be published and mailed to the provided correspondence address.

(a) If the request for a statutory invention registration is approved the statutory invention registration will be published. The statutory invention registration will be mailed to the requester at the correspondence address as provided for in § 1.33(a). A notice of the publication of each statutory invention registration will be published in the Official Gazette.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.33(a)Correspondence Address RequirementsCorrespondence with the OfficeCorrespondence Address
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1111-258ed29a286783165fb32b4f]
Statutory Invention Registration Mailed to Requester
Note:
The statutory invention registration will be mailed to the requester at the correspondence address as provided.

(a) If the request for a statutory invention registration is approved the statutory invention registration will be published. The statutory invention registration will be mailed to the requester at the correspondence address as provided for in § 1.33(a). A notice of the publication of each statutory invention registration will be published in the Official Gazette.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.33(a)Correspondence Address RequirementsCorrespondence with the OfficeCorrespondence Address
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1111-d9801bbb6a881a514423df74]
Statutory Invention Registration Published in Official Gazette
Note:
If a statutory invention registration is approved, a notice of its publication will be announced in the Official Gazette.

(a) If the request for a statutory invention registration is approved the statutory invention registration will be published. The statutory invention registration will be mailed to the requester at the correspondence address as provided for in § 1.33(a). A notice of the publication of each statutory invention registration will be published in the Official Gazette.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.33(a)Correspondence Address RequirementsCorrespondence with the OfficeCorrespondence Address
Topic

AIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1111-8c0a10980722765e41666d50]
Published SIR Treated as Patent for Defensive Purposes
Note:
A published statutory invention registration is treated the same as a U.S. patent, usable as a reference from its filing date.

In accordance with pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 157(c), a published SIR will be treated the same as a U.S. patent for all defensive purposes, usable as a reference as of its filing date in the same manner as a patent. A SIR is a “constructive reduction to practice” under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g) and “prior art” under all applicable sections of 35 U.S.C. 102 including 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) and pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e). SIRs are classified, cross-referenced, and placed in the search files, disseminated to foreign patent offices, stored in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office computer data bases, made available in commercial data bases, and announced in the Official Gazette.

Jump to MPEP SourceAIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)SIR Patent Rights Waiver
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1111-c892fa34d021e6d4ef59d1b4]
Statutory Invention Registration Must Be Widely Distributed
Note:
A SIR must be classified, cross-referenced, and disseminated to various offices and databases as it has the same effect as a patent for defensive purposes.

In accordance with pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 157(c), a published SIR will be treated the same as a U.S. patent for all defensive purposes, usable as a reference as of its filing date in the same manner as a patent. A SIR is a “constructive reduction to practice” under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g) and “prior art” under all applicable sections of 35 U.S.C. 102 including 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) and pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e). SIRs are classified, cross-referenced, and placed in the search files, disseminated to foreign patent offices, stored in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office computer data bases, made available in commercial data bases, and announced in the Official Gazette.

Jump to MPEP SourceAIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)Pre-AIA 102(d) – Foreign Patenting (MPEP 2135)Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)
Topic

Constructive Reduction (Filing)

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1111-fa78035fd72b99f113dd52b7]
Constructive Reduction to Practice for SIR
Note:
A statutory invention registration (SIR) serves as a constructive reduction to practice and prior art under relevant sections of the U.S. patent law.

In accordance with pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 157(c), a published SIR will be treated the same as a U.S. patent for all defensive purposes, usable as a reference as of its filing date in the same manner as a patent. A SIR is a “constructive reduction to practice” under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g) and “prior art” under all applicable sections of 35 U.S.C. 102 including 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) and pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e). SIRs are classified, cross-referenced, and placed in the search files, disseminated to foreign patent offices, stored in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office computer data bases, made available in commercial data bases, and announced in the Official Gazette.

Jump to MPEP SourceConstructive Reduction (Filing)Conception and Reduction to PracticePre-AIA 102(g) – Prior Invention (MPEP 2138)
Topic

Effect of SIR Publication

1 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-1111-d6e1d701d9bf24f8b7c3fe15]
Waiver by Inventor in SIR Affects Patentability of Related Applications
Note:
Examiners must use 'same invention' double patenting standards to determine if an inventor's waiver in a statutory invention registration precludes patenting the same subject matter in related applications.

The waiver of patent rights to the subject matter claimed in a statutory invention registration takes effect on publication (pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.293(c)) and may affect the patentability of claims in related applications without SIR requests, such as divisional or other continuing applications, since the waiver of patent rights is effective for all inventions claimed in the SIR and would effectively waive the right of the inventor to obtain a patent on the invention claimed in the same application or on the same invention claimed in any other application not issued before the publication date of the SIR. If an application containing generic claims is published as a SIR, the waiver in that application applies to any other related applications to the extent that the same invention claimed in the SIR is claimed in the other application. Examiners should apply standards similar to those applied in making “same invention” double patenting determinations to determine whether a waiver by an inventor to claims in a SIR precludes patenting by the same inventor to subject matter in any related application. If the same subject matter is claimed in an application and in a published statutory invention registration naming a common inventor, the claims in the application should be rejected as being precluded by the waiver in the statutory invention registration. A rejection as being precluded by a waiver in a SIR cannot be overcome by a terminal disclaimer.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.293(c))Effect of SIR PublicationSIR Patent Rights WaiverStatutory Invention Registration (Discontinued)

Citations

Primary topicCitation
AIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)
Constructive Reduction (Filing)
35 U.S.C. § 102
AIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)
Constructive Reduction (Filing)
35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(2)
AIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)
Constructive Reduction (Filing)
35 U.S.C. § 102(e)
AIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)
Constructive Reduction (Filing)
35 U.S.C. § 102(g)
SIR Patent Rights Waiver
Statutory Invention Registration (Discontinued)
35 U.S.C. § 157
AIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)
Constructive Reduction (Filing)
35 U.S.C. § 157(c)
Effect of SIR Publication
SIR Patent Rights Waiver
37 CFR § 1.293(c)
Correspondence Address Requirements37 CFR § 1.33(a)
Statutory Invention Registration (Discontinued)MPEP § 901.04(a)

Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP

This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.

BlueIron Last Updated: 2025-12-31