MPEP § 1876.01 — Request for Rectification and Notification of Action Thereon (Annotated Rules)

§1876.01 Request for Rectification and Notification of Action Thereon

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 1876.01, 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.

Request for Rectification and Notification of Action Thereon

This section addresses Request for Rectification and Notification of Action Thereon. Contains: 1 requirement, 2 guidance statements, and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

Article 19 Amendment Scope

3 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1876-01-c67ae73ef9d30e55921a2635]
Instructions for Processing Rectifications of Obvious Mistakes by PCT Offices
Note:
PCT Administrative Instructions provide guidelines for the receiving Office, International Bureau, International Searching Authority, and International Preliminary Examining Authority on how to process rectifications of obvious mistakes.

The rectification of obvious mistakes is governed by PCT Rule 91. PCT Administrative Instructions Section 325 provides instructions for the processing of rectifications of obvious mistakes by the receiving Office; PCT Administrative Instructions Sections 413 and 413bis provide instructions for the processing of rectifications of obvious mistakes by the International Bureau; PCT Administrative Instructions Section 511 provides instructions for the processing of rectifications of obvious mistakes by the International Searching Authority; and PCT Administrative Instructions Section 607 provides instructions for the processing of rectifications of obvious mistakes by the International Preliminary Examining Authority.

Jump to MPEP SourceArticle 19 Amendment ScopeReceiving Office (RO/US)International Searching Authority (ISA)
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-1876-01-61d07fcb03424672d787f207]
Notification of Rectification Authorization
Note:
The International Preliminary Examining Authority must notify the applicant whether any requested rectifications are authorized or refused using Form PCT/IPEA/412.

If the applicant requests rectification of any obvious mistakes in the description, claims, or drawings, or in a correction thereon, or in an amendment under Article 19 or 34, the International Preliminary Examining Authority should notify applicant whether the rectification is authorized or refused using Form PCT/IPEA/412. Any rectification offered to the international preliminary examining authority must be in the form of a replacement sheet embodying the rectification and the letter accompanying the replacement sheet must draw attention to the differences between the replaced sheet and the replacement sheet.

Jump to MPEP SourceArticle 19 Amendment ScopeStatement Under Article 19PCT Description Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1876-01-472b874ffd41b43a948a1df1]
Rectification Must Be on Replacement Sheet
Note:
Any correction to the international preliminary examining authority must be presented as a replacement sheet with an accompanying letter highlighting the differences.

If the applicant requests rectification of any obvious mistakes in the description, claims, or drawings, or in a correction thereon, or in an amendment under Article 19 or 34, the International Preliminary Examining Authority should notify applicant whether the rectification is authorized or refused using Form PCT/IPEA/412. Any rectification offered to the international preliminary examining authority must be in the form of a replacement sheet embodying the rectification and the letter accompanying the replacement sheet must draw attention to the differences between the replaced sheet and the replacement sheet.

Jump to MPEP SourceArticle 19 Amendment ScopeInternational Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA)Competent Authority for Rectification
Topic

International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA)

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1876-01-b8ebd50e13e5321eb68309c2]
Notification of Action on Rectification Request
Note:
The International Preliminary Examining Authority will notify the applicant of its decision after reviewing a request to correct an obvious mistake.

The International Preliminary Examining Authority, after fully considering applicant’s request for rectification of an obvious mistake, will notify applicant of the action taken on Form PCT/IPEA/412. Since the space provided is limited, supplemental sheet(s) should be incorporated whenever necessary.

Jump to MPEP SourceInternational Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA)Competent Authority for RectificationObvious Mistakes
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-1876-01-4b1d9fe36bc634f9baf01b43]
Supplemental Sheets Required When Space Limited
Note:
The International Preliminary Examining Authority requires supplemental sheets to be incorporated when the space provided is insufficient for all necessary information.

The International Preliminary Examining Authority, after fully considering applicant’s request for rectification of an obvious mistake, will notify applicant of the action taken on Form PCT/IPEA/412. Since the space provided is limited, supplemental sheet(s) should be incorporated whenever necessary.

Jump to MPEP SourceInternational Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA)Competent Authority for RectificationObvious Mistakes
Topic

Competent Authority for Rectification

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1876-01-55863e282326836c5489bcfe]
PCT Rule Governs Rectification of Obvious Mistakes
Note:
The rule outlines the procedures for correcting obvious mistakes in PCT applications by various competent authorities.

The rectification of obvious mistakes is governed by PCT Rule 91. PCT Administrative Instructions Section 325 provides instructions for the processing of rectifications of obvious mistakes by the receiving Office; PCT Administrative Instructions Sections 413 and 413bis provide instructions for the processing of rectifications of obvious mistakes by the International Bureau; PCT Administrative Instructions Section 511 provides instructions for the processing of rectifications of obvious mistakes by the International Searching Authority; and PCT Administrative Instructions Section 607 provides instructions for the processing of rectifications of obvious mistakes by the International Preliminary Examining Authority.

Jump to MPEP SourceCompetent Authority for RectificationObvious MistakesPCT Rectification of Mistakes

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Article 19 Amendment Scope
Competent Authority for Rectification
PCT Administrative Instructions Section 325
Article 19 Amendment Scope
Competent Authority for Rectification
PCT Administrative Instructions Section 511
Article 19 Amendment Scope
Competent Authority for Rectification
PCT Administrative Instructions Section 607
Article 19 Amendment Scope
Competent Authority for Rectification
PCT Rule 91

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