MPEP § 2139 — Rejections Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (Annotated Rules)

§2139 Rejections Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2026-01-10

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2139, 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.

Rejections Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102

This section addresses Rejections Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 102, 35 U.S.C. 371, and 35 U.S.C. 363. Contains: 4 statements.

Key Rules

Topic

AIA Effective Dates

4 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2139-c77d80893c6ccad5dbbe800d]
Application Filed Before March 16, 2013, Is Pre-AIA
Note:
This rule states that any application filed before March 16, 2013, is governed by pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103.

Any application filed before March 16, 2013, is governed by pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (i.e., the application is a pre-AIA first to invent application). Note that neither the filing of a request for continued examination, nor entry into the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371, constitutes the filing of a new application. Accordingly, such an application remains subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 even if a request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114 is filed on or after March 16, 2013, in an application that was filed before March 16, 2013. Similarly, a PCT application filed under 35 U.S.C. 363 before March 16, 2013, is subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103, regardless of whether the application enters the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371 before or after March 16, 2013.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.114AIA Effective DatesPre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)Rejections in National Stage
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2139-4522b674f28a7be3a1589519]
Continued Examination Not Constituting New Application
Note:
A request for continued examination in an application filed before March 16, 2013, remains subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 even if filed after that date.

Any application filed before March 16, 2013, is governed by pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (i.e., the application is a pre-AIA first to invent application). Note that neither the filing of a request for continued examination, nor entry into the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371, constitutes the filing of a new application. Accordingly, such an application remains subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 even if a request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114 is filed on or after March 16, 2013, in an application that was filed before March 16, 2013. Similarly, a PCT application filed under 35 U.S.C. 363 before March 16, 2013, is subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103, regardless of whether the application enters the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371 before or after March 16, 2013.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.114AIA Effective DatesNationals and ResidentsReceiving Office (RO/US)
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2139-16ebd13f8738d4dd0bedc0f2]
PCT Application Filed Under 35 U.S.C. 363 Before March 16, 2013, Subject to Pre-AIA 102 and 103
Note:
A PCT application filed before March 16, 2013, remains subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 regardless of when it enters the national stage.

Any application filed before March 16, 2013, is governed by pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (i.e., the application is a pre-AIA first to invent application). Note that neither the filing of a request for continued examination, nor entry into the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371, constitutes the filing of a new application. Accordingly, such an application remains subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 even if a request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114 is filed on or after March 16, 2013, in an application that was filed before March 16, 2013. Similarly, a PCT application filed under 35 U.S.C. 363 before March 16, 2013, is subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103, regardless of whether the application enters the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371 before or after March 16, 2013.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.114AIA Effective DatesPre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)Nationals and Residents
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2139-1dfd02fa48deb26aa6832110]
Applications Claiming Earlier Filing Dates Subject to Pre-AIA 102
Note:
Certain applications filed on or after March 16, 2013 that claim an earlier filing date are subject to examination under the pre-AIA 102 first to invent prior art regime.

Certain applications filed on or after March 16, 2013 that claim the benefit of a filing date earlier than March 16, 2013 under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, or 365 are also governed by pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102; see MPEP § 2159 et seq. for guidance in determining whether such an application is subject to examination under the first to invent prior art regime.

Jump to MPEP SourceAIA Effective DatesAIA Overview and Effective DatesAIA vs Pre-AIA Practice

Citations

Primary topicCitation
AIA Effective Dates35 U.S.C. § 102
AIA Effective Dates35 U.S.C. § 120
AIA Effective Dates35 U.S.C. § 363
AIA Effective Dates35 U.S.C. § 371
AIA Effective Dates37 CFR § 1.114
AIA Effective DatesMPEP § 2159

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: 2026-01-10