MPEP § 1410.01 — Reissue Applicant and Inventor’s Oath or Declaration (Annotated Rules)

§1410.01 Reissue Applicant and Inventor's Oath or Declaration

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 1410.01, 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.

Reissue Applicant and Inventor's Oath or Declaration

This section addresses Reissue Applicant and Inventor's Oath or Declaration. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 251, 37 CFR 3.73(c), and 37 CFR 1.172. Contains: 9 requirements, 1 prohibition, 3 permissions, and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic
12 rules
Topic

Reissue Patent Practice

3 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1410-01-b45a9f5fc702556b8e6da232]
Reissue to Original Patentee or Assigns as Interest Appears
Note:
A reissue patent will be granted to the original patentee, their legal representatives, or assigns if it is in the interest of the patent holder.

(b) A reissue will be granted to the original patentee, his legal representatives or assigns as the interest may appear.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.172Reissue Patent PracticeReissue Filing RequirementsReissue Application Filing
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1410-01-d3a8e8722ebcee9e422b79eb]
Reissue to Original Patentee or Assignees as Interest Appears
Note:
A reissue patent will be granted to the original patentee, their legal representatives, or assigns if it is in the interest of the parties involved.

(b) A reissue will be granted to the original patentee, his legal representatives or assigns as the interest may appear.

Jump to MPEP SourceReissue Patent PracticeReissue Filing RequirementsReissue Application Filing
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1410-01-07982fbeb97950dce1b0e4e2]
Reissue Oath Must Be Signed by Inventors
Note:
The reissue oath must be signed and sworn to by all inventors, except in certain circumstances where the assignee can sign on their behalf.

The reissue oath must be signed and sworn to by all the inventors, or declaration made by all the inventors, except as otherwise provided in pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.42, 1.43, and 1.47. Alternatively, pursuant to pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.172, where the reissue application does not seek to enlarge the scope of any of the claims of the original patent, the reissue oath may be made and sworn to, or declaration made, by the assignee of the entire interest. In this situation, a reissue oath or declaration must be signed by a party authorized to act on behalf of the assignee of the entire interest. See MPEP § 324, subsection V. Depending on the circumstances, either Form PTO/SB/51, Reissue Application Declaration by the Inventor, or Form PTO/SB/52, Reissue Application Declaration by the Assignee, may be used to prepare a declaration in a reissue application. These forms are reproduced in MPEP § 1414, which includes additional information pertaining to reissue oaths or declarations.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.42Reissue Patent PracticeAIA Definition of Applicant (37 CFR 1.42)Consent of Assignee
Topic

AIA Definition of Applicant (37 CFR 1.42)

2 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1410-01-3754c45c9d6f9caa678000be]
Reissue Application Must Be Filed by Inventor or Assignee
Note:
For reissue applications filed before September 16, 2012, the application must be made by the inventor or the assignee of the entire interest, unless the application does not seek to enlarge the scope of the claims.

For reissue applications filed before September 16, 2012, the reissue application must be made by the inventor or the person(s) applying for a patent in place of the inventor as provided in pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.42, 1.43, and 1.47 (see MPEP § 409.01(b) and § 409.03 et seq.), except that the application for reissue may be made by the assignee of the entire interest if the application does not seek to enlarge the scope of the claims of the original patent. See pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 251, third paragraph.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.42AIA Definition of Applicant (37 CFR 1.42)AIA Effective DatesConsent of Assignee
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1410-01-322a127d694b04c8529515b6]
All Inventors Must Sign Reissue Oath
Note:
The reissue oath must be signed and sworn to by all the inventors, unless otherwise provided in pre-AIA regulations.

The reissue oath must be signed and sworn to by all the inventors, or declaration made by all the inventors, except as otherwise provided in pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.42, 1.43, and 1.47. Alternatively, pursuant to pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.172, where the reissue application does not seek to enlarge the scope of any of the claims of the original patent, the reissue oath may be made and sworn to, or declaration made, by the assignee of the entire interest. In this situation, a reissue oath or declaration must be signed by a party authorized to act on behalf of the assignee of the entire interest. See MPEP § 324, subsection V. Depending on the circumstances, either Form PTO/SB/51, Reissue Application Declaration by the Inventor, or Form PTO/SB/52, Reissue Application Declaration by the Assignee, may be used to prepare a declaration in a reissue application. These forms are reproduced in MPEP § 1414, which includes additional information pertaining to reissue oaths or declarations.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.42AIA Definition of Applicant (37 CFR 1.42)Applicant and Assignee Filing Under AIAReissue Oath or Declaration
Topic
1 rules
Topic

AIA Effective Dates

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1410-01-de04cdee5f824dc6001bd004]
Reissue Application Must Be Signed by Inventor
Note:
For reissue applications filed on or after September 16, 2012, the inventor must sign an oath or declaration unless certain conditions are met.

For reissue applications filed on or after September 16, 2012, the reissue applicant is the original patentee, or the current patent owner, if there has been an assignment. However the inventor, or each individual inventor who is a joint inventor of a claimed invention, must execute an oath or declaration for the reissue application, except as otherwise provided in 37 CFR 1.175(c). A reissue applicant may file a substitute statement in lieu of the inventor’s oath or declaration as provided for in 37 CFR 1.64 (see MPEP § 604). In addition, the inventor’s oath or declaration may be signed by the assignee of the entire interest if (a) the reissue application does not seek to enlarge the scope of the claims of the original patent (37 CFR 1.175(c)(1)), or (b) the application for the original patent was filed under 37 CFR 1.46 by the assignee of the entire interest (37 CFR 1.175(c)(2)). When used in this context, “filed under 37 CFR 1.46 by the assignee of the entire interest” means that the assignee of the entire interest was named as the applicant in the applicant section of the application data sheet at the time of filing the underlying application that became the patent for which reissue is now being sought. In this situation, the reissue oath or declaration must be signed by a party authorized to act on behalf of the assignee of the entire interest and may not be signed by the patent practitioner of record. See MPEP § 325, subsection V, items (A), (B), and (D) for examples of a party authorized to act on behalf of the assignee of the entire interest in signing a reissue oath or declaration.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.175(c)AIA Effective DatesDetermining Whether Application Is AIA or Pre-AIAConsent of Assignee
Topic

Who May File Reissue

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1410-01-16103d65f137fb8576d2b23e]
Reissue Applicant May File Substitute Statement Instead of Oath/Declaration
Note:
A reissue applicant can submit a substitute statement in lieu of the inventor’s oath or declaration as specified by 37 CFR 1.64.

For reissue applications filed on or after September 16, 2012, the reissue applicant is the original patentee, or the current patent owner, if there has been an assignment. However the inventor, or each individual inventor who is a joint inventor of a claimed invention, must execute an oath or declaration for the reissue application, except as otherwise provided in 37 CFR 1.175(c). A reissue applicant may file a substitute statement in lieu of the inventor’s oath or declaration as provided for in 37 CFR 1.64 (see MPEP § 604). In addition, the inventor’s oath or declaration may be signed by the assignee of the entire interest if (a) the reissue application does not seek to enlarge the scope of the claims of the original patent (37 CFR 1.175(c)(1)), or (b) the application for the original patent was filed under 37 CFR 1.46 by the assignee of the entire interest (37 CFR 1.175(c)(2)). When used in this context, “filed under 37 CFR 1.46 by the assignee of the entire interest” means that the assignee of the entire interest was named as the applicant in the applicant section of the application data sheet at the time of filing the underlying application that became the patent for which reissue is now being sought. In this situation, the reissue oath or declaration must be signed by a party authorized to act on behalf of the assignee of the entire interest and may not be signed by the patent practitioner of record. See MPEP § 325, subsection V, items (A), (B), and (D) for examples of a party authorized to act on behalf of the assignee of the entire interest in signing a reissue oath or declaration.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.175(c)Who May File ReissueAssignee as Applicant SignatureSubstitute Signature
Topic

Substitute Statement (37 CFR 1.64)

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1410-01-103d806a1bd731369029fe48]
Requirement for Reusing Earlier Oath/Declaration in Continuation or Divisional Reissue Applications
Note:
A copy of the inventor’s oath or declaration from an earlier-filed reissue application can be used in a continuing or divisional reissue application, provided certain conditions are met.

For continuation or divisional reissue applications, a copy of the inventor’s oath or declaration from the earlier-filed reissue application may be used, provided that: (1) the inventor, or each joint inventor of a claimed invention, in the reissue application executed an inventor’s oath or declaration for the earlier-filed reissue application, except as provided in 37 CFR 1.64; (2) the continuing reissue application does not seek to enlarge the scope of the claims of the original patent; or (3) the application for the original patent was filed under 37 CFR 1.46 by the assignee of the entire interest. See 37 CFR 1.175(f)(1). Depending on the circumstances, either Form PTO/AIA/05, Reissue Application Declaration by the Inventor, or Form PTO/AIA/06, Reissue Application Declaration by the Assignee, may be used to prepare a declaration in a reissue application. These forms are reproduced in MPEP § 1414, which includes additional information on the content of reissue oaths or declarations, such as when the statement of at least one error in a copy of the inventor’s oath or declaration from the earlier-filed reissue application will be accepted by the Office.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.64Substitute Statement (37 CFR 1.64)Determining Whether Application Is AIA or Pre-AIAConsent of Assignee
Topic

Content of Substitute Statement

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1410-01-e7dc84c0d1bed3ff22f5d8e5]
Inventor or Assignee Must File Declaration Using PTO/AIA/05 or PTO/AIA/06
Note:
An inventor or assignee must file a declaration in a reissue application using either Form PTO/AIA/05 or Form PTO/AIA/06, depending on the circumstances.

For continuation or divisional reissue applications, a copy of the inventor’s oath or declaration from the earlier-filed reissue application may be used, provided that: (1) the inventor, or each joint inventor of a claimed invention, in the reissue application executed an inventor’s oath or declaration for the earlier-filed reissue application, except as provided in 37 CFR 1.64; (2) the continuing reissue application does not seek to enlarge the scope of the claims of the original patent; or (3) the application for the original patent was filed under 37 CFR 1.46 by the assignee of the entire interest. See 37 CFR 1.175(f)(1). Depending on the circumstances, either Form PTO/AIA/05, Reissue Application Declaration by the Inventor, or Form PTO/AIA/06, Reissue Application Declaration by the Assignee, may be used to prepare a declaration in a reissue application. These forms are reproduced in MPEP § 1414, which includes additional information on the content of reissue oaths or declarations, such as when the statement of at least one error in a copy of the inventor’s oath or declaration from the earlier-filed reissue application will be accepted by the Office.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.64Content of Substitute StatementConsent of AssigneeReissue Oath by Assignee
Topic

Reissue Oath/Declaration Content

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1410-01-89a21e3d7cdd9366c3ff9bcc]
Content of Reissue Oaths or Declarations Must Include Error Statement
Note:
The content of reissue oaths or declarations must include a statement of at least one error in the earlier-filed reissue application's inventor’s oath or declaration.

For continuation or divisional reissue applications, a copy of the inventor’s oath or declaration from the earlier-filed reissue application may be used, provided that: (1) the inventor, or each joint inventor of a claimed invention, in the reissue application executed an inventor’s oath or declaration for the earlier-filed reissue application, except as provided in 37 CFR 1.64; (2) the continuing reissue application does not seek to enlarge the scope of the claims of the original patent; or (3) the application for the original patent was filed under 37 CFR 1.46 by the assignee of the entire interest. See 37 CFR 1.175(f)(1). Depending on the circumstances, either Form PTO/AIA/05, Reissue Application Declaration by the Inventor, or Form PTO/AIA/06, Reissue Application Declaration by the Assignee, may be used to prepare a declaration in a reissue application. These forms are reproduced in MPEP § 1414, which includes additional information on the content of reissue oaths or declarations, such as when the statement of at least one error in a copy of the inventor’s oath or declaration from the earlier-filed reissue application will be accepted by the Office.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.64Reissue Oath/Declaration ContentError Identification in OathWho May File Reissue
Topic

Broadening Reissue (Two-Year Limit)

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1410-01-383219a10d161c4a66a1300e]
Assignee Can Swear to Reissue If No Scope Enlargement
Note:
The assignee of the entire interest can swear to a reissue application if it does not seek to enlarge the scope of the original patent claims.

The provisions of this title relating to applications for patent shall be applicable to applications for reissue of a patent, except that application for reissue may be made and sworn to by the assignee of the entire interest if the application does not seek to enlarge the scope of the claims of the original patent.

Jump to MPEP SourceBroadening Reissue (Two-Year Limit)Who May File ReissueReissue Claim Requirements
Topic

Reissue Oath by Assignee

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1410-01-207f4523481646fd85a989fd]
Assignees Must Establish Ownership for Reissue
Note:
All assignees consenting to a reissue must file a submission proving their ownership interest in the patent as required by § 3.73(b).

(a) A reissue oath must be signed and sworn to or declaration made by the inventor or inventors except as otherwise provided (see §§ 1.42, 1.43, 1.47), and must be accompanied by the written consent of all assignees, if any, owning an undivided interest in the patent, but a reissue oath may be made and sworn to or declaration made by the assignee of the entire interest if the application does not seek to enlarge the scope of the claims of the original patent. All assignees consenting to the reissue must establish their ownership interest in the patent by filing in the reissue application a submission in accordance with the provisions of § 3.73(b) of this chapter.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.42Reissue Oath by AssigneeConsent of All OwnersEstablishing Ownership
Topic

Original Patent Requirement (Same Invention)

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1410-01-b6ef4188619b2c0663866c8e]
Reissue Application Must Be Filed by Inventor or Assignee
Note:
The reissue application must be filed by the inventor or the assignee of the entire interest, unless the application does not seek to enlarge the scope of the original patent claims.

For reissue applications filed before September 16, 2012, the reissue application must be made by the inventor or the person(s) applying for a patent in place of the inventor as provided in pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.42, 1.43, and 1.47 (see MPEP § 409.01(b) and § 409.03 et seq.), except that the application for reissue may be made by the assignee of the entire interest if the application does not seek to enlarge the scope of the claims of the original patent. See pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 251, third paragraph.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.42Original Patent Requirement (Same Invention)AIA vs Pre-AIA PracticeReissue Patent Practice

Citations

Primary topicCitation
AIA Definition of Applicant (37 CFR 1.42)
Original Patent Requirement (Same Invention)
35 U.S.C. § 251
AIA Definition of Applicant (37 CFR 1.42)
Consent of Assignee
Reissue Patent Practice
37 CFR § 1.172
AIA Effective Dates
Consent of Assignee
Who May File Reissue
37 CFR § 1.175(c)
AIA Effective Dates
Consent of Assignee
Who May File Reissue
37 CFR § 1.175(c)(1)
AIA Effective Dates
Consent of Assignee
Who May File Reissue
37 CFR § 1.175(c)(2)
Content of Substitute Statement
Reissue Oath/Declaration Content
Substitute Statement (37 CFR 1.64)
37 CFR § 1.175(f)(1)
AIA Definition of Applicant (37 CFR 1.42)
Consent of Assignee
Original Patent Requirement (Same Invention)
Reissue Oath by Assignee
Reissue Patent Practice
37 CFR § 1.42
AIA Effective Dates
Consent of Assignee
Content of Substitute Statement
Reissue Oath/Declaration Content
Substitute Statement (37 CFR 1.64)
Who May File Reissue
37 CFR § 1.46
AIA Effective Dates
Consent of Assignee
Content of Substitute Statement
Reissue Oath/Declaration Content
Substitute Statement (37 CFR 1.64)
Who May File Reissue
37 CFR § 1.64
Consent of Assignee
Reissue Oath by Assignee
37 CFR § 3.73(b)
Consent of All Owners
Consent of Assignee
37 CFR § 3.73(c)
AIA Definition of Applicant (37 CFR 1.42)
Original Patent Requirement (Same Invention)
37 CFR § 409.03
Consent of AssigneeMPEP § 1410.02
Consent of AssigneeMPEP § 1412.04
AIA Definition of Applicant (37 CFR 1.42)
Consent of Assignee
Content of Substitute Statement
Reissue Oath/Declaration Content
Reissue Patent Practice
Substitute Statement (37 CFR 1.64)
MPEP § 1414
AIA Definition of Applicant (37 CFR 1.42)
Consent of Assignee
Reissue Patent Practice
MPEP § 324
AIA Effective Dates
Consent of Assignee
Who May File Reissue
MPEP § 325
AIA Definition of Applicant (37 CFR 1.42)
Original Patent Requirement (Same Invention)
MPEP § 409.01(b)
AIA Effective Dates
Consent of Assignee
Who May File Reissue
MPEP § 604

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