MPEP § 715.01(b) — Reference and Application Have Common Assignee (Annotated Rules)

§715.01(b) Reference and Application Have Common Assignee

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 715.01(b), 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.

Reference and Application Have Common Assignee

This section addresses Reference and Application Have Common Assignee.

Key Rules

Topic

Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-715-01-b-e173baf4fa0dbda25b823e2f]
Affidavits Under 37 CFR 1.131(c)
Note:
Describes the requirements for affidavits or declarations under 37 CFR 1.131(c), which are used to overcome rejections under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g).

[Editor Note: This MPEP section is not applicable to applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA unless being relied upon to overcome a rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g). See 35 U.S.C. 100 (note) and MPEP § 2159. For a discussion of 37 CFR 1.130, affidavits or declarations of attribution or prior public disclosure in applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA, see MPEP § 717. For a discussion of affidavits or declarations under 37 CFR 1.131(c), see MPEP § 718.]

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.130Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138)AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-715-01-b-0c9055b7f868abeb5d849e8f]
Affidavit Required for Commonly Owned Patents
Note:
An affidavit under 37 CFR 1.131(a) is required even if the reference and application have a common assignee, unless it's shown that the subject matter was derived from the inventor.

The mere fact that the reference patent or application publication which discloses but does not claim certain subject matter and the application under examination which claims subject matter are owned by the same assignee does not avoid the necessity of filing an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.131(a), in the absence of a showing under 37 CFR 1.132 that the patentee derived (in the context of pre-AIA law) the subject matter relied on from the inventor (MPEP § 716.10). The common assignee does not obtain any rights in this regard by virtue of common ownership which they would not have in the absence of common ownership. In re Frilette, 412 F.2d 269, 162 USPQ 163 (CCPA 1969); Pierce v. Watson, 275 F.2d 890, 124 USPQ 356 (D.C. Cir. 1960); In re Beck, 155 F.2d 398, 69 USPQ 520 (CCPA 1946). Where, however, a rejection is applied under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(f) / 103 or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g) / 103, or, in an application filed on or after November 29, 1999, under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) / 103 using the reference, a showing that the invention was commonly owned, or subject to an obligation of assignment to the same person, at the time the later invention was made, would preclude such a rejection or be sufficient to overcome such a rejection. See MPEP §§ 2146.01MPEP § 2146.02. For applications subject to current 35 U.S.C. 102, see MPEP § 2154.02(c).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.131(a)Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)Pre-AIA 102(f) – Derivation (MPEP 2137)
Topic

Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138)

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-715-01-b-a43d3284ef2fa0ecf7ea7744]
Requirement for Common Assignee Between Reference and Application
Note:
This rule requires that the reference and application must have a common assignee under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g) to overcome prior art rejections.

[Editor Note: This MPEP section is not applicable to applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA unless being relied upon to overcome a rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g). See 35 U.S.C. 100 (note) and MPEP § 2159. For a discussion of 37 CFR 1.130, affidavits or declarations of attribution or prior public disclosure in applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA, see MPEP § 717. For a discussion of affidavits or declarations under 37 CFR 1.131(c), see MPEP § 718.]

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.130Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138)AIA vs Pre-AIA PracticeAntedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Topic

AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-715-01-b-df7e916bcff6be9c0fa6ea19]
Affidavits for AIA First Inventor to File
Note:
Discusses the use of affidavits or declarations regarding prior public disclosures in applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the America Invents Act (AIA).

[Editor Note: This MPEP section is not applicable to applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA unless being relied upon to overcome a rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g). See 35 U.S.C. 100 (note) and MPEP § 2159. For a discussion of 37 CFR 1.130, affidavits or declarations of attribution or prior public disclosure in applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA, see MPEP § 717. For a discussion of affidavits or declarations under 37 CFR 1.131(c), see MPEP § 718.]

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.130AIA vs Pre-AIA PracticeAntedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138)
Topic

Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C)

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-715-01-b-47b65d7af471b2511946210b]
Common Assignee Does Not Derive Rights by Common Ownership
Note:
A common assignee does not gain any rights from common ownership that they wouldn't have otherwise, requiring an affidavit under 37 CFR 1.131(a) if the subject matter is not derived from the inventor.

The mere fact that the reference patent or application publication which discloses but does not claim certain subject matter and the application under examination which claims subject matter are owned by the same assignee does not avoid the necessity of filing an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.131(a), in the absence of a showing under 37 CFR 1.132 that the patentee derived (in the context of pre-AIA law) the subject matter relied on from the inventor (MPEP § 716.10). The common assignee does not obtain any rights in this regard by virtue of common ownership which they would not have in the absence of common ownership. In re Frilette, 412 F.2d 269, 162 USPQ 163 (CCPA 1969); Pierce v. Watson, 275 F.2d 890, 124 USPQ 356 (D.C. Cir. 1960); In re Beck, 155 F.2d 398, 69 USPQ 520 (CCPA 1946). Where, however, a rejection is applied under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(f) / 103 or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g) / 103, or, in an application filed on or after November 29, 1999, under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) / 103 using the reference, a showing that the invention was commonly owned, or subject to an obligation of assignment to the same person, at the time the later invention was made, would preclude such a rejection or be sufficient to overcome such a rejection. See MPEP §§ 2146.01MPEP § 2146.02. For applications subject to current 35 U.S.C. 102, see MPEP § 2154.02(c).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.131(a)Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C)Joint Research Agreements (MPEP 2156)Common Ownership/JDA Exception (MPEP 2154.02)
Topic

Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-715-01-b-b6c1970858168639b6d0b07a]
Common Ownership Can Overcome Prior Art Rejection
Note:
A showing that the inventions were commonly owned at the time of creation can prevent or overcome a prior art rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e)/103.

The mere fact that the reference patent or application publication which discloses but does not claim certain subject matter and the application under examination which claims subject matter are owned by the same assignee does not avoid the necessity of filing an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.131(a), in the absence of a showing under 37 CFR 1.132 that the patentee derived (in the context of pre-AIA law) the subject matter relied on from the inventor (MPEP § 716.10). The common assignee does not obtain any rights in this regard by virtue of common ownership which they would not have in the absence of common ownership. In re Frilette, 412 F.2d 269, 162 USPQ 163 (CCPA 1969); Pierce v. Watson, 275 F.2d 890, 124 USPQ 356 (D.C. Cir. 1960); In re Beck, 155 F.2d 398, 69 USPQ 520 (CCPA 1946). Where, however, a rejection is applied under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(f) / 103 or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g) / 103, or, in an application filed on or after November 29, 1999, under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) / 103 using the reference, a showing that the invention was commonly owned, or subject to an obligation of assignment to the same person, at the time the later invention was made, would preclude such a rejection or be sufficient to overcome such a rejection. See MPEP §§ 2146.01MPEP § 2146.02. For applications subject to current 35 U.S.C. 102, see MPEP § 2154.02(c).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.131(a)Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C)Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138)
Topic

35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-715-01-b-7dda5dbe950ec2ccc30ea7e3]
Affidavit Required for Common Assignee Inventions
Note:
An affidavit must be filed under 37 CFR 1.131(a) when inventions with common assignees are subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102, unless a derivation is shown.

The mere fact that the reference patent or application publication which discloses but does not claim certain subject matter and the application under examination which claims subject matter are owned by the same assignee does not avoid the necessity of filing an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.131(a), in the absence of a showing under 37 CFR 1.132 that the patentee derived (in the context of pre-AIA law) the subject matter relied on from the inventor (MPEP § 716.10). The common assignee does not obtain any rights in this regard by virtue of common ownership which they would not have in the absence of common ownership. In re Frilette, 412 F.2d 269, 162 USPQ 163 (CCPA 1969); Pierce v. Watson, 275 F.2d 890, 124 USPQ 356 (D.C. Cir. 1960); In re Beck, 155 F.2d 398, 69 USPQ 520 (CCPA 1946). Where, however, a rejection is applied under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(f) / 103 or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g) / 103, or, in an application filed on or after November 29, 1999, under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) / 103 using the reference, a showing that the invention was commonly owned, or subject to an obligation of assignment to the same person, at the time the later invention was made, would preclude such a rejection or be sufficient to overcome such a rejection. See MPEP §§ 2146.01MPEP § 2146.02. For applications subject to current 35 U.S.C. 102, see MPEP § 2154.02(c).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.131(a)Novelty / Prior ArtAntedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)

Citations

Primary topicCitation
AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138)
35 U.S.C. § 100
35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C)
Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)
35 U.S.C. § 102
35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C)
Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)
35 U.S.C. § 102(e)
35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C)
Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)
35 U.S.C. § 102(f)
35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art
AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C)
Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)
Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138)
35 U.S.C. § 102(g)
AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138)
37 CFR § 1.130
35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C)
Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)
37 CFR § 1.131(a)
AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138)
37 CFR § 1.131(c)
35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C)
Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)
37 CFR § 1.132
35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C)
Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)
MPEP § 2146.01
35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C)
Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)
MPEP § 2146.02
35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C)
Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)
MPEP § 2154.02(c)
AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138)
MPEP § 2159
35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C)
Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)
MPEP § 716.10
AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138)
MPEP § 717
AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138)
MPEP § 718
35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C)
Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)
In re Beck, 155 F.2d 398, 69 USPQ 520 (CCPA 1946)
35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C)
Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)
In re Frilette, 412 F.2d 269, 162 USPQ 163 (CCPA 1969)

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