MPEP § 1607 — Specimens (Annotated Rules)

§1607 Specimens

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 1607, 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.

Specimens

This section addresses Specimens. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.166. Contains: 1 requirement and 1 guidance statement.

Key Rules

Topic

Access to Patent Application Files (MPEP 101-106)

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1607-923f61f0e1127ee1e643cec0]
Specimens Must Be Provided for Study and Inspection
Note:
Applicants must submit plant specimens, flowers, or fruits at designated times and stages of growth for official study and inspection. If submission is not possible, plants must be available for on-site inspection.

The applicant may be required to furnish specimens of the plant, or its flower or fruit, in a quantity and at a time in its stage of growth as may be designated, for study and inspection. Such specimens, properly packed, must be forwarded in conformity with instructions furnished to the applicant. When it is not possible to forward such specimens, plants must be made available for official inspection where grown.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.166Access to Patent Application Files (MPEP 101-106)
Topic

Specimen Requirements

1 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-1607-294dd40ae775998339789a7c]
Specimens Not Required Unless Called For
Note:
Plant variety specimens, flowers, or fruits must not be submitted unless specifically requested by the examiner.

Specimens of the plant variety, its flower or fruit, should not be submitted unless specifically called for by the examiner.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.166Specimen RequirementsPlant SpecimensPlant Patent Practice

Examiner Form Paragraphs

Examiner form paragraphs are standard language that you might see in an Office Action or communication from the USPTO. Examiners have latitude to change the form paragraphs, but you will often see this exact language.

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Form Paragraph § 16.13

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