MPEP § 2173.05(k) — Aggregation (Annotated Rules)

§2173.05(k) Aggregation

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2173.05(k), 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.

Aggregation

This section addresses Aggregation. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 101. Contains: 1 guidance statement and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

35 U.S.C. 101 – Patent Eligibility

1 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2173-05-k-f7ee62fee104ae3ecb0b3169]
Claims Not to Be Rejected on Aggregation Grounds
Note:
An applicant is entitled to know if claims are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101, 102, 103, or 112 and a rejection for aggregation is non-statutory.

A claim should not be rejected on the ground of “aggregation.” In re Gustafson, 331 F.2d 905, 141 USPQ 585 (CCPA 1964) (an applicant is entitled to know whether the claims are being rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101, 102, 103, or 112); In re Collier, 397 F.2d 1003, 1006, 158 USPQ 266, 268 (CCPA 1968) (“[A] rejection for ‘aggregation’ is non-statutory.”).

Jump to MPEP SourcePatent Eligibility
Topic

Claims

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2173-05-k-980cf0771145ee329e383eb6]
Claims Must Include All Essential Elements
Note:
A claim must include all essential elements of the invention as defined in the specification and interrelate these elements.

If a claim omits essential matter or fails to interrelate essential elements of the invention as defined by applicant(s) in the specification, see MPEP § 2172.01.

Jump to MPEP SourcePatent Application Content

Citations

Primary topicCitation
35 U.S.C. 101 – Patent Eligibility35 U.S.C. § 101
ClaimsMPEP § 2172.01
35 U.S.C. 101 – Patent EligibilityIn re Collier, 397 F.2d 1003, 1006, 158 USPQ 266, 268 (CCPA 1968)
35 U.S.C. 101 – Patent EligibilityIn re Gustafson, 331 F.2d 905, 141 USPQ 585 (CCPA 1964)

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