MPEP § 1481 — Certificates of Correction – Applicant’s Mistake (Annotated Rules)

§1481 Certificates of Correction – Applicant’s Mistake

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 1481, 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.

Certificates of Correction – Applicant’s Mistake

This section addresses Certificates of Correction – Applicant’s Mistake. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 255, 35 U.S.C. 1.20(a), and 35 U.S.C. 41.121(a)(2). Contains: 2 requirements, 3 permissions, and 8 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Not Grounds for Reissue

5 rules
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-1481-7c852ece67c9ef3918d91113]
Mistakes Broadening Claims Cannot Be Minor
Note:
A mistake that would broaden a claim's scope if corrected cannot be considered minor and thus cannot be fixed with a certificate of correction.

“A mistake that, if corrected, would broaden the scope of a claim must thus be viewed as highly important and thus cannot be a mistake of ’minor character.’ Accordingly, based on the plain meaning of the statutory language, we interpret ’a mistake of… minor character’ to exclude mistakes that broaden a claim.” Superior Fireplace Co. v. The Majestic Products Co., 270 F.3d 1358, 1375, 60 USPQ2d 1668, 1681 (Fed. Cir. 2001). Filing a request for a certificate of correction for a broadened claim to correct an error by applicant of failing to properly present that broader claim would, if granted, be issuing a patent on a claim that had never been examined and is improper under certificate of correction practice. The filing of a reissue application may, in some instances, be appropriate to add a broadened claim to a patent. See MPEP § 1402. Failure by applicant to present a claim is an error in claim drafting, which is not correctable by a certificate of correction. In re Patent No 6550701, 2006 WL 4494426 (Comm’r Pat. 2006).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.323Not Grounds for ReissueGrounds for ReissueReissue Patent Practice
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1481-77e973e6e8a447a98ea90bc9]
Mistake of Minor Character Excludes Claim Broadening
Note:
A mistake that broadens a claim is not considered minor and cannot be corrected by a certificate of correction.

“A mistake that, if corrected, would broaden the scope of a claim must thus be viewed as highly important and thus cannot be a mistake of ’minor character.’ Accordingly, based on the plain meaning of the statutory language, we interpret ’a mistake of… minor character’ to exclude mistakes that broaden a claim.” Superior Fireplace Co. v. The Majestic Products Co., 270 F.3d 1358, 1375, 60 USPQ2d 1668, 1681 (Fed. Cir. 2001). Filing a request for a certificate of correction for a broadened claim to correct an error by applicant of failing to properly present that broader claim would, if granted, be issuing a patent on a claim that had never been examined and is improper under certificate of correction practice. The filing of a reissue application may, in some instances, be appropriate to add a broadened claim to a patent. See MPEP § 1402. Failure by applicant to present a claim is an error in claim drafting, which is not correctable by a certificate of correction. In re Patent No 6550701, 2006 WL 4494426 (Comm’r Pat. 2006).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.323Not Grounds for ReissueGrounds for ReissueReissue Patent Practice
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1481-f2e4a08b2584dd8525d723fa]
Claims Cannot Be Broadered via Correction
Note:
A patent claim cannot be broadened through a certificate of correction if it was not originally presented by the applicant.

“A mistake that, if corrected, would broaden the scope of a claim must thus be viewed as highly important and thus cannot be a mistake of ’minor character.’ Accordingly, based on the plain meaning of the statutory language, we interpret ’a mistake of… minor character’ to exclude mistakes that broaden a claim.” Superior Fireplace Co. v. The Majestic Products Co., 270 F.3d 1358, 1375, 60 USPQ2d 1668, 1681 (Fed. Cir. 2001). Filing a request for a certificate of correction for a broadened claim to correct an error by applicant of failing to properly present that broader claim would, if granted, be issuing a patent on a claim that had never been examined and is improper under certificate of correction practice. The filing of a reissue application may, in some instances, be appropriate to add a broadened claim to a patent. See MPEP § 1402. Failure by applicant to present a claim is an error in claim drafting, which is not correctable by a certificate of correction. In re Patent No 6550701, 2006 WL 4494426 (Comm’r Pat. 2006).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.323Not Grounds for ReissueGrounds for ReissueReissue Patent Practice
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1481-6788afd5d3399a753c3c1e1e]
Failure to Present Claim Is Not Correctable by Certificate of Correction
Note:
This rule states that an error in claim drafting, specifically failing to present a claim, cannot be corrected through a certificate of correction.

“A mistake that, if corrected, would broaden the scope of a claim must thus be viewed as highly important and thus cannot be a mistake of ’minor character.’ Accordingly, based on the plain meaning of the statutory language, we interpret ’a mistake of… minor character’ to exclude mistakes that broaden a claim.” Superior Fireplace Co. v. The Majestic Products Co., 270 F.3d 1358, 1375, 60 USPQ2d 1668, 1681 (Fed. Cir. 2001). Filing a request for a certificate of correction for a broadened claim to correct an error by applicant of failing to properly present that broader claim would, if granted, be issuing a patent on a claim that had never been examined and is improper under certificate of correction practice. The filing of a reissue application may, in some instances, be appropriate to add a broadened claim to a patent. See MPEP § 1402. Failure by applicant to present a claim is an error in claim drafting, which is not correctable by a certificate of correction. In re Patent No 6550701, 2006 WL 4494426 (Comm’r Pat. 2006).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.323Not Grounds for ReissueGrounds for ReissueReissue Patent Practice
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1481-101e1c246245fdf12d07be5f]
Claims That Are Broader Than Examined Cannot Be Corrected by Certificate of Correction
Note:
A patent claim that is broader than what was examined cannot be corrected using a certificate of correction. Such claims must be addressed through reissue applications.

“A mistake that, if corrected, would broaden the scope of a claim must thus be viewed as highly important and thus cannot be a mistake of ’minor character.’ Accordingly, based on the plain meaning of the statutory language, we interpret ’a mistake of… minor character’ to exclude mistakes that broaden a claim.” Superior Fireplace Co. v. The Majestic Products Co., 270 F.3d 1358, 1375, 60 USPQ2d 1668, 1681 (Fed. Cir. 2001). Filing a request for a certificate of correction for a broadened claim to correct an error by applicant of failing to properly present that broader claim would, if granted, be issuing a patent on a claim that had never been examined and is improper under certificate of correction practice. The filing of a reissue application may, in some instances, be appropriate to add a broadened claim to a patent. See MPEP § 1402. Failure by applicant to present a claim is an error in claim drafting, which is not correctable by a certificate of correction. In re Patent No 6550701, 2006 WL 4494426 (Comm’r Pat. 2006).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.323Not Grounds for ReissueGrounds for ReissueReissue Patent Practice
Topic

Reissue Filing Requirements

4 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1481-a41c7c35ffd20216d5927610]
Correction for Applicant’s Mistake
Note:
This rule outlines the process for issuing certificates to correct errors in patents that were not due to Office mistakes.

37 CFR 1.323 relates to the issuance of certificates of correction for the correction of errors which were not the fault of the Office. Mistakes in a patent which are not correctable by certificate of correction may be correctable via filing a reissue application (see MPEP § 1401§ 1460). See Novo Industries, L.P. v. Micro Molds Corporation, 350 F.3d 1348, 69 USPQ2d 1128 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (The Federal Circuit stated that when Congress in 1952 defined USPTO authority to make corrections with prospective effect, it did not deny correction authority to the district courts. A court, however, can correct only if "(1) the correction is not subject to reasonable debate based on consideration of the claim language and the specification and (2) the prosecution history does not suggest a different interpretation…").

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.323Reissue Filing RequirementsReissue Application FilingReissue Patent Practice
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1481-3ce1d07a382d764bdbccb324]
District Courts Can Correct Patent Errors Not Subject to Certificate of Correction
Note:
District courts have the authority to correct patent errors that are not subject to correction by a certificate of correction if the error is not reasonably debatable based on claim language and specification, and the prosecution history does not suggest a different interpretation.

37 CFR 1.323 relates to the issuance of certificates of correction for the correction of errors which were not the fault of the Office. Mistakes in a patent which are not correctable by certificate of correction may be correctable via filing a reissue application (see MPEP § 1401§ 1460). See Novo Industries, L.P. v. Micro Molds Corporation, 350 F.3d 1348, 69 USPQ2d 1128 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (The Federal Circuit stated that when Congress in 1952 defined USPTO authority to make corrections with prospective effect, it did not deny correction authority to the district courts. A court, however, can correct only if "(1) the correction is not subject to reasonable debate based on consideration of the claim language and the specification and (2) the prosecution history does not suggest a different interpretation…").

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.323Reissue Filing RequirementsReissue Application FilingReissue Patent Practice
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1481-37b58481ea69e5e982e36b51]
District Courts Can Correct Patent Errors Not Subject to Debate
Note:
The Federal Circuit confirmed that district courts have the authority to correct patent errors if they are not subject to reasonable debate and do not contradict the prosecution history.

37 CFR 1.323 relates to the issuance of certificates of correction for the correction of errors which were not the fault of the Office. Mistakes in a patent which are not correctable by certificate of correction may be correctable via filing a reissue application (see MPEP § 1401§ 1460). See Novo Industries, L.P. v. Micro Molds Corporation, 350 F.3d 1348, 69 USPQ2d 1128 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (The Federal Circuit stated that when Congress in 1952 defined USPTO authority to make corrections with prospective effect, it did not deny correction authority to the district courts. A court, however, can correct only if "(1) the correction is not subject to reasonable debate based on consideration of the claim language and the specification and (2) the prosecution history does not suggest a different interpretation…").

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.323Reissue Filing RequirementsReissue Application FilingReissue Patent Practice
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1481-ad89fbbb516e20fc74033698]
Court Can Correct Patent Only If Unambiguous and Not Contradicted by Prosecution History
Note:
A court can correct a patent error only if the correction is clear from the claim language and specification, and not contradicted by the prosecution history.

37 CFR 1.323 relates to the issuance of certificates of correction for the correction of errors which were not the fault of the Office. Mistakes in a patent which are not correctable by certificate of correction may be correctable via filing a reissue application (see MPEP § 1401§ 1460). See Novo Industries, L.P. v. Micro Molds Corporation, 350 F.3d 1348, 69 USPQ2d 1128 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (The Federal Circuit stated that when Congress in 1952 defined USPTO authority to make corrections with prospective effect, it did not deny correction authority to the district courts. A court, however, can correct only if "(1) the correction is not subject to reasonable debate based on consideration of the claim language and the specification and (2) the prosecution history does not suggest a different interpretation…").

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.323Reissue Filing RequirementsReissue Application FilingReissue Patent Practice
Topic

Reissue Patent Practice

4 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1481-eb4609d040d9a794285ffc07]
Correction Requires Reissue If Criteria Not Met
Note:
If the specified criteria are not met, a certificate of correction for an applicant’s mistake cannot be issued; instead, reissuance is required to correct the patent.

If the above criteria are not satisfied, then a certificate of correction for an applicant’s mistake will not issue, and reissue must be employed as the vehicle to “correct” the patent. Usually, any mistake affecting claim scope must be corrected by reissue.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.323Reissue Patent Practice
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1481-823f13f4f92afbcb3522d7cf]
Mistake Affecting Claim Scope Must Be Corrected by Reissue
Note:
If an applicant makes a mistake that affects the claim scope, it must be corrected through reissue rather than a certificate of correction.

If the above criteria are not satisfied, then a certificate of correction for an applicant’s mistake will not issue, and reissue must be employed as the vehicle to “correct” the patent. Usually, any mistake affecting claim scope must be corrected by reissue.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.323Reissue Patent Practice
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1481-d88b6ee68b0ebb9897d1525c]
Material Changes Not Eligible for Certificate of Correction
Note:
A certificate of correction cannot be issued if the requested change materially affects the patent's scope or meaning.

A mistake is not considered to be of the “minor” character required for the issuance of a certificate of correction if the requested change would materially affect the scope or meaning of the patent. See also MPEP § 1412.04 as to correction of inventorship via certificate of correction or reissue.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.323Reissue Patent Practice
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1481-2d5804282a201988f2075c10]
Reissue Application for Broadened Claims Allowed
Note:
A reissue application may be filed to add a broader claim that was not properly presented during the original patent examination.

“A mistake that, if corrected, would broaden the scope of a claim must thus be viewed as highly important and thus cannot be a mistake of ’minor character.’ Accordingly, based on the plain meaning of the statutory language, we interpret ’a mistake of… minor character’ to exclude mistakes that broaden a claim.” Superior Fireplace Co. v. The Majestic Products Co., 270 F.3d 1358, 1375, 60 USPQ2d 1668, 1681 (Fed. Cir. 2001). Filing a request for a certificate of correction for a broadened claim to correct an error by applicant of failing to properly present that broader claim would, if granted, be issuing a patent on a claim that had never been examined and is improper under certificate of correction practice. The filing of a reissue application may, in some instances, be appropriate to add a broadened claim to a patent. See MPEP § 1402. Failure by applicant to present a claim is an error in claim drafting, which is not correctable by a certificate of correction. In re Patent No 6550701, 2006 WL 4494426 (Comm’r Pat. 2006).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.323Reissue Patent PracticeNot Grounds for ReissueGrounds for Reissue
Topic

Post-Issuance & Maintenance Fees

3 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1481-e0eafe36f16610940766a363]
Patentee Can Request Certificate of Correction
Note:
A patentee or assignee can request a certificate of correction under specified conditions and pay the required fee.

The Office may issue a certificate of correction under the conditions specified in 35 U.S.C. 255 at the request of the patentee or the patentee’s assignee, upon payment of the fee set forth in § 1.20(a). If the request relates to a patent involved in an interference or trial before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, the request must comply with the requirements of this section and be accompanied by a motion under § 41.121(a)(2), § 41.121(a)(3) or § 42.20 of this title.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.323Post-Issuance & Maintenance FeesMaintenance Fee AmountsFee Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1481-34075a32a9299bf3b3dbf219]
Fee for Correcting Applicant’s Mistake
Note:
This rule specifies the fee required for correcting an applicant's mistake, excluding inventorship corrections.

The fee for providing a correction of applicant’s mistake, other than inventorship, is set forth in 37 CFR 1.20(a). The fee for correction of inventorship in a patent is set forth in 37 CFR 1.20(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.20(a)Post-Issuance & Maintenance FeesFee Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1481-9b93fa925ebef2957e8319ac]
Fee for Correcting Inventorship in a Patent
Note:
This rule specifies the fee required to correct inventorship mistakes in a patent.

The fee for providing a correction of applicant’s mistake, other than inventorship, is set forth in 37 CFR 1.20(a). The fee for correction of inventorship in a patent is set forth in 37 CFR 1.20(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.20(a)Post-Issuance & Maintenance FeesFee Requirements
Topic

Maintenance Fee Amounts

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1481-66c1bb5c80bf83a845c05ef6]
Correction for Clerical Mistakes Allowed
Note:
The Director may issue a certificate to correct clerical mistakes in a patent, provided the correction does not involve new matter or require reexamination.

Whenever a mistake of a clerical or typographical nature, or of minor character, which was not the fault of the Patent and Trademark Office, appears in a patent and a showing has been made that such mistake occurred in good faith, the Director may, upon payment of the required fee, issue a certificate of correction, if the correction does not involve such changes in the patent as would constitute new matter or would require reexamination. Such patent, together with the certificate, shall have the same effect and operation in law on the trial of actions for causes thereafter arising as if the same had been originally issued in such corrected form.

Jump to MPEP SourceMaintenance Fee AmountsMaintenance Fee PaymentFee Requirements
Topic

PTAB Jurisdiction

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1481-b10d1dc3985d391b8e1cdc6d]
Motion Required for PTAB Interference Requests
Note:
A request related to a patent in an interference or trial before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board must be accompanied by a motion under specific sections.

The Office may issue a certificate of correction under the conditions specified in 35 U.S.C. 255 at the request of the patentee or the patentee’s assignee, upon payment of the fee set forth in § 1.20(a). If the request relates to a patent involved in an interference or trial before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, the request must comply with the requirements of this section and be accompanied by a motion under § 41.121(a)(2), § 41.121(a)(3) or § 42.20 of this title.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.323PTAB JurisdictionPTAB Contested Case ProceduresPost-Issuance & Maintenance Fees
Topic

Reissue Application Filing

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1481-4a81017172fae982ba05d5c9]
Mistakes Correctable via Reissue Application
Note:
Patent mistakes not fixable by certificate of correction can be corrected through filing a reissue application.

37 CFR 1.323 relates to the issuance of certificates of correction for the correction of errors which were not the fault of the Office. Mistakes in a patent which are not correctable by certificate of correction may be correctable via filing a reissue application (see MPEP § 1401§ 1460). See Novo Industries, L.P. v. Micro Molds Corporation, 350 F.3d 1348, 69 USPQ2d 1128 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (The Federal Circuit stated that when Congress in 1952 defined USPTO authority to make corrections with prospective effect, it did not deny correction authority to the district courts. A court, however, can correct only if "(1) the correction is not subject to reasonable debate based on consideration of the claim language and the specification and (2) the prosecution history does not suggest a different interpretation…").

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.323Reissue Application FilingReissue Patent PracticeReissue Filing Requirements
Topic

Correcting Benefit Claims

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1481-c9e7522fd5945b2d589adc64]
Typical Requirement for Benefit Claim Mistakes
Note:
A clerical mistake in a benefit claim generally requires a petition under 37 CFR 1.78(e) rather than a certificate of correction.

A clerical or typographical mistake in the benefit or foreign priority claim is typically not an error correctable by a certificate of correction and generally requires a petition under 37 CFR 1.78(e) or 37 CFR 1.55(e), respectively. See MPEP § 1481.03 for more information on correcting a benefit claim and MPEP § 216.01 for more information on correcting a foreign priority claim.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.78(e)Correcting Benefit ClaimsBenefit Claim in SpecificationContinuation Benefit Claims

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Reissue Application Filing
Reissue Filing Requirements
35 U.S.C. § 1460
PTAB Jurisdiction
Post-Issuance & Maintenance Fees
35 U.S.C. § 255
PTAB Jurisdiction
Post-Issuance & Maintenance Fees
37 CFR § 1.20(a)
Post-Issuance & Maintenance Fees37 CFR § 1.20(b)
Reissue Application Filing
Reissue Filing Requirements
37 CFR § 1.323
Correcting Benefit Claims37 CFR § 1.55(e)
Correcting Benefit Claims37 CFR § 1.78(e)
PTAB Jurisdiction
Post-Issuance & Maintenance Fees
37 CFR § 41.121(a)(2)
PTAB Jurisdiction
Post-Issuance & Maintenance Fees
37 CFR § 41.121(a)(3)
PTAB Jurisdiction
Post-Issuance & Maintenance Fees
37 CFR § 42.20
Reissue Application Filing
Reissue Filing Requirements
MPEP § 1401
Not Grounds for Reissue
Reissue Patent Practice
MPEP § 1402
Reissue Patent PracticeMPEP § 1412.04
Correcting Benefit ClaimsMPEP § 1481.03
Correcting Benefit ClaimsMPEP § 216.01
Reissue Application Filing
Reissue Filing Requirements
See Novo Industries, L.P. v. Micro Molds Corporation, 350 F.3d 1348, 69 USPQ2d 1128 (Fed. Cir. 2003)
Not Grounds for Reissue
Reissue Patent Practice
Superior Fireplace Co. v. The Majestic Products Co., 270 F.3d 1358, 1375, 60 USPQ2d 1668, 1681 (Fed. Cir. 2001)

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