MPEP § 1470 — Public Access to Reissue Applications (Annotated Rules)

§1470 Public Access to Reissue Applications

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 1470, 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.

Public Access to Reissue Applications

This section addresses Public Access to Reissue Applications. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.11(b), 37 CFR 1.53(d)), and 37 CFR 1.53(d). Contains: 1 guidance statement and 6 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Third Party Access to Files (MPEP 103, 1134.01)

5 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1470-308b94e065067e994af25e1d]
Public Can Inspect Reissue Applications
Note:
All reissue applications are open for public inspection, allowing members of the public to submit information relevant to their patentability.

37 CFR 1.11(b) opens all reissue applications to inspection by the general public. 37 CFR 1.11(b) also provides for announcement of the filings of reissue applications in the Official Gazette (except for continued prosecution applications filed under 37 CFR 1.53(d)). This announcement will give interested members of the public an opportunity to submit to the examiner information pertinent to patentability of the reissue application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.11(b)Third Party Access to Files (MPEP 103, 1134.01)Access to Patent Application Files (MPEP 101-106)Reissue Patent Practice
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1470-2f1f03fa1d26789cf3e283bb]
Public Can Submit Information Pertinent to Patentability of Reissue Application
Note:
The public is given the opportunity to submit information relevant to the patentability of a reissued application to the examiner.

37 CFR 1.11(b) opens all reissue applications to inspection by the general public. 37 CFR 1.11(b) also provides for announcement of the filings of reissue applications in the Official Gazette (except for continued prosecution applications filed under 37 CFR 1.53(d)). This announcement will give interested members of the public an opportunity to submit to the examiner information pertinent to patentability of the reissue application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.11(b)Third Party Access to Files (MPEP 103, 1134.01)Reissue Application FilingReissue Patent Practice
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1470-cf4bdb9e26c5f660dd61a204]
IFW Reissue Application Files Open to Public Inspection via Patent Center
Note:
Reissue application files can be viewed by the public through the USPTO's Patent Center on their website.

IFW reissue application files are open to inspection by the general public by way of Patent Center via the USPTO Internet site. In viewing the images of the files, members of the public will be able to view the entire content of the reissue application file history. To access Patent Center, a member of the public should go to the USPTO website at www.uspto.gov.

Jump to MPEP SourceThird Party Access to Files (MPEP 103, 1134.01)Reissue Application FilingAccess to Patent Application Files (MPEP 101-106)
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1470-bb501d54bd605e8cbc0780f7]
Public Can View Entire Reissue Application History
Note:
Members of the public can view all content in reissue application file histories through Patent Center on the USPTO website.

IFW reissue application files are open to inspection by the general public by way of Patent Center via the USPTO Internet site. In viewing the images of the files, members of the public will be able to view the entire content of the reissue application file history. To access Patent Center, a member of the public should go to the USPTO website at www.uspto.gov.

Jump to MPEP SourceThird Party Access to Files (MPEP 103, 1134.01)Reissue Application FilingAccess to Patent Application Files (MPEP 101-106)
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-1470-886fea3008249d813cec0832]
Public Must Go to USPTO Website for Patent Center Access
Note:
The public must visit the USPTO website at www.uspto.gov to access Patent Center and view reissue application files.

IFW reissue application files are open to inspection by the general public by way of Patent Center via the USPTO Internet site. In viewing the images of the files, members of the public will be able to view the entire content of the reissue application file history. To access Patent Center, a member of the public should go to the USPTO website at www.uspto.gov.

Jump to MPEP SourceThird Party Access to Files (MPEP 103, 1134.01)Access to Patent Application Files (MPEP 101-106)Reissue Application Filing
Topic

Application Types and Filing

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1470-6c4b82c651df4b4496cc8fd0]
Announcement of Reissue Application Filings in Official Gazette
Note:
Provides for the announcement of reissue application filings in the Official Gazette, except for continued prosecution applications filed under 37 CFR 1.53(d).

37 CFR 1.11(b) opens all reissue applications to inspection by the general public. 37 CFR 1.11(b) also provides for announcement of the filings of reissue applications in the Official Gazette (except for continued prosecution applications filed under 37 CFR 1.53(d)). This announcement will give interested members of the public an opportunity to submit to the examiner information pertinent to patentability of the reissue application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.11(b)Application Types and FilingOfficial Gazette – Patents (MPEP 1730)Reissue Patent Practice
Topic

Continued Prosecution Applications

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1470-28f5a91e13faf94e15ab3d55]
Continued Prosecution Application Not Announced in Official Gazette for Design Reissue
Note:
A continued prosecution application filed under 37 CFR 1.53(d) of a design reissue application will not be announced in the Official Gazette as it is redundant with the announcement of the prior reissue application.

The filing of a continued prosecution application (CPA) under 37 CFR 1.53(d) of a design reissue application (effective July 14, 2003, CPAs are only available in design applications) will not be announced in the Official Gazette. Although the filing of a continued prosecution application of a reissue application constitutes the filing of a reissue application, the announcement of the filing of such continued prosecution application would be redundant in view of the announcement of the filing of the prior reissue application in the Official Gazette.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.53(d)Continued Prosecution ApplicationsApplication Types and FilingReissue Application Filing

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Application Types and Filing
Third Party Access to Files (MPEP 103, 1134.01)
37 CFR § 1.11(b)
Application Types and Filing
Continued Prosecution Applications
Third Party Access to Files (MPEP 103, 1134.01)
37 CFR § 1.53(d)

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