MPEP § 2221 — Amendments Included in Request Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 by Patent Owner (Annotated Rules)

§2221 Amendments Included in Request Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 by Patent Owner

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2221, 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.

Amendments Included in Request Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 by Patent Owner

This section addresses Amendments Included in Request Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 by Patent Owner. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 2250, 37 CFR 1.510(e), and 37 CFR 1.530(d). Contains: 1 requirement, 2 guidance statements, 2 permissions, and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

New Claims in Reexamination

4 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2221-dfa22bb4db3f1e36e0079400]
Patent Owner Must Include Proposed Amendments
Note:
A patent owner must include a proposed amendment with their request, which must comply with specific requirements outlined in the regulations.

Under 37 CFR 1.510(e), a patent owner may include a proposed amendment with his or her request. Any such amendment must be in accordance with 37 CFR 1.530(d) through (j). See MPEP § 2250 as to the format and requirements of an amendment in a reexamination proceeding. If an amendment is submitted to add claims to the patent being reexamined, then excess claims fees pursuant to 37 CFR 1.20(c)(3) and (c)(4) may be applicable to the presentation of the added claims. See the discussion of excess claim fees in MPEP § 2250.03. Amendments may also be proposed by patent owners in a statement under 37 CFR 1.530(b) and (c) or during the actual ex parte reexamination prosecution (37 CFR 1.550(b)). See also MPEP § 2234 and § 2250.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.510(e)New Claims in ReexaminationRequest by Patent OwnerAmendments in Reexamination
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2221-762f6a5895a6acb52a346eef]
Patent Owners Can Propose Amendments During Ex Parte Reexamination
Note:
Patent owners can propose amendments to their patents during ex parte reexamination by including them in the request or during prosecution.

Under 37 CFR 1.510(e), a patent owner may include a proposed amendment with his or her request. Any such amendment must be in accordance with 37 CFR 1.530(d) through (j). See MPEP § 2250 as to the format and requirements of an amendment in a reexamination proceeding. If an amendment is submitted to add claims to the patent being reexamined, then excess claims fees pursuant to 37 CFR 1.20(c)(3) and (c)(4) may be applicable to the presentation of the added claims. See the discussion of excess claim fees in MPEP § 2250.03. Amendments may also be proposed by patent owners in a statement under 37 CFR 1.530(b) and (c) or during the actual ex parte reexamination prosecution (37 CFR 1.550(b)). See also MPEP § 2234 and § 2250.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.510(e)New Claims in ReexaminationRequest Content RequirementsAmendments in Reexamination
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2221-eb42883a34ef1616339133f8]
Claims Must Reflect Requested Amendments
Note:
The decision on the request for reexamination must be based on the current wording of the patent claims, without considering any proposed amendments. However, if the request is granted, subsequent examination should be based on the amended claims.

The request should be decided on the wording of the patent claims in effect at that time (without any proposed amendments). The decision on the request will be made on the basis of the patent claims as though the proposed amendment had not been presented. However, if the request for reexamination is granted, all subsequent reexamination prosecution and examination should be on the basis of the claims as amended.

Jump to MPEP SourceNew Claims in ReexaminationRequest by Patent OwnerEx Parte Reexamination Request
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2221-f858802aac8fde539f07c82e]
Claims Basis for Reexamination Decision
Note:
The decision on the request will be based on the patent claims as they stand, without considering proposed amendments. If reexamination is granted, subsequent prosecution and examination should be based on the amended claims.

The request should be decided on the wording of the patent claims in effect at that time (without any proposed amendments). The decision on the request will be made on the basis of the patent claims as though the proposed amendment had not been presented. However, if the request for reexamination is granted, all subsequent reexamination prosecution and examination should be on the basis of the claims as amended.

Jump to MPEP SourceNew Claims in ReexaminationAmendments in ReexaminationEx Parte Reexamination Request
Topic

Amendments in Reexamination

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2221-028a8a8aebc4ba7024edd09d]
Excess Claims Fees for Added Claims During Reexamination
Note:
If claims are added to a patent during reexamination, additional fees may be required under 37 CFR 1.20(c)(3) and (c)(4).

Under 37 CFR 1.510(e), a patent owner may include a proposed amendment with his or her request. Any such amendment must be in accordance with 37 CFR 1.530(d) through (j). See MPEP § 2250 as to the format and requirements of an amendment in a reexamination proceeding. If an amendment is submitted to add claims to the patent being reexamined, then excess claims fees pursuant to 37 CFR 1.20(c)(3) and (c)(4) may be applicable to the presentation of the added claims. See the discussion of excess claim fees in MPEP § 2250.03. Amendments may also be proposed by patent owners in a statement under 37 CFR 1.530(b) and (c) or during the actual ex parte reexamination prosecution (37 CFR 1.550(b)). See also MPEP § 2234 and § 2250.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.510(e)Amendments in ReexaminationEx Parte Reexamination RequestEx Parte Reexamination
Topic

Request Content Requirements

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2221-9b44b13462df16bfa5169fb7]
Excess Claims Fees for Added Claims in Reexamination
Note:
Patent owners must pay additional fees if they add claims to a patent during reexamination.

Under 37 CFR 1.510(e), a patent owner may include a proposed amendment with his or her request. Any such amendment must be in accordance with 37 CFR 1.530(d) through (j). See MPEP § 2250 as to the format and requirements of an amendment in a reexamination proceeding. If an amendment is submitted to add claims to the patent being reexamined, then excess claims fees pursuant to 37 CFR 1.20(c)(3) and (c)(4) may be applicable to the presentation of the added claims. See the discussion of excess claim fees in MPEP § 2250.03. Amendments may also be proposed by patent owners in a statement under 37 CFR 1.530(b) and (c) or during the actual ex parte reexamination prosecution (37 CFR 1.550(b)). See also MPEP § 2234 and § 2250.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.510(e)Request Content RequirementsEx Parte Reexamination RequestEx Parte Reexamination

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Amendments in Reexamination
New Claims in Reexamination
Request Content Requirements
35 U.S.C. § 2250
Amendments in Reexamination
New Claims in Reexamination
Request Content Requirements
37 CFR § 1.20(c)(3)
Amendments in Reexamination
New Claims in Reexamination
Request Content Requirements
37 CFR § 1.510(e)
Amendments in Reexamination
New Claims in Reexamination
Request Content Requirements
37 CFR § 1.530(b)
Amendments in Reexamination
New Claims in Reexamination
Request Content Requirements
37 CFR § 1.530(d)
Amendments in Reexamination
New Claims in Reexamination
Request Content Requirements
37 CFR § 1.550(b)
Amendments in Reexamination
New Claims in Reexamination
Request Content Requirements
MPEP § 2234
Amendments in Reexamination
New Claims in Reexamination
Request Content Requirements
MPEP § 2250
Amendments in Reexamination
New Claims in Reexamination
Request Content Requirements
MPEP § 2250.03

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