MPEP § 2164.01(c) — How to Use the Claimed Invention (Annotated Rules)

§2164.01(c) How to Use the Claimed Invention

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2164.01(c), 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.

How to Use the Claimed Invention

This section addresses How to Use the Claimed Invention. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 112 and 35 U.S.C. 112(a). Contains: 6 statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Test of Enablement (MPEP 2164.01)

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-01-c-5b4cffcccf386a2629a22a02]
Dosage and Method Not Required If Known to Art
Note:
If a skilled artisan can determine the appropriate dosage or method of use without undue experimentation, it is not necessary to specify them in the application.

For example, it is not necessary to specify the dosage or method of use if it is known to one skilled in the art that such information could be obtained without undue experimentation. If one skilled in the art, based on knowledge of compounds having similar physiological or biological activity, would be able to discern an appropriate dosage or method of use without undue experimentation, this would be sufficient to satisfy 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph. The applicant need not demonstrate that the invention is completely safe. See also MPEP §§ 2107.01 and 2107.03.

Jump to MPEP SourceTest of Enablement (MPEP 2164.01)Working and Prophetic Examples (MPEP 2164.02)How to Use the Invention (MPEP 2164.01(c))
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-01-c-ead0b47912ac6592c88e8f95]
Enablement for Dosage Determination
Note:
If a skilled artisan can determine an appropriate dosage without undue experimentation based on similar compounds, this satisfies the enablement requirement under section 112(a).

For example, it is not necessary to specify the dosage or method of use if it is known to one skilled in the art that such information could be obtained without undue experimentation. If one skilled in the art, based on knowledge of compounds having similar physiological or biological activity, would be able to discern an appropriate dosage or method of use without undue experimentation, this would be sufficient to satisfy 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph. The applicant need not demonstrate that the invention is completely safe. See also MPEP §§ 2107.01 and 2107.03.

Jump to MPEP SourceTest of Enablement (MPEP 2164.01)35 U.S.C. 112(a) – Written Description & EnablementAIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
Topic

Scope Commensurate with Disclosure

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-01-c-7a9667370b1c9d51e6f13219]
Enabled Uses Must Correlate With Claim Scope
Note:
If a compound claim is not limited by specific uses, any disclosed use that reasonably correlates with the claim’s scope must be enabled to avoid nonenablement rejections.

In contrast, when a compound or composition claim is not limited by a recited use, any enabled use that would reasonably correlate with the entire scope of that claim is sufficient to preclude a rejection for nonenablement based on how to use. If multiple uses for claimed compounds or compositions are disclosed in the application, then an enablement rejection must include an explanation, sufficiently supported by the evidence, why the specification fails to enable each disclosed use. In other words, if any use is enabled when multiple uses are disclosed, the application is enabling for the claimed invention.

Jump to MPEP SourceScope Commensurate with DisclosureComposition of Matter Claims
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-01-c-5df2a1474c63a5f8c5050029]
Enablement for Disclosed Uses Required
Note:
An application must enable each disclosed use when multiple uses are claimed to meet the enablement requirement.

In contrast, when a compound or composition claim is not limited by a recited use, any enabled use that would reasonably correlate with the entire scope of that claim is sufficient to preclude a rejection for nonenablement based on how to use. If multiple uses for claimed compounds or compositions are disclosed in the application, then an enablement rejection must include an explanation, sufficiently supported by the evidence, why the specification fails to enable each disclosed use. In other words, if any use is enabled when multiple uses are disclosed, the application is enabling for the claimed invention.

Jump to MPEP SourceScope Commensurate with DisclosureTest of Enablement (MPEP 2164.01)
Topic

Patent Application Content

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-01-c-7f4aa68fe119a6d38f06350e]
Specification Must Describe How to Use Invention
Note:
The specification must describe how the invention can be used, and if standard modes of administration are recognized, it satisfies the utility requirement.

If a statement of utility in the specification contains within it a connotation of how to use, and/or the art recognizes that standard modes of administration are known and contemplated, 35 U.S.C. 112 is satisfied. In re Johnson, 282 F.2d 370, 373, 127 USPQ 216, 219 (CCPA 1960); In re Hitchings, 342 F.2d 80, 87, 144 USPQ 637, 643 (CCPA 1965); see also In re Brana, 51 F.3d 1560, 1566, 34 USPQ2d 1436, 1441 (Fed. Cir. 1995).

Jump to MPEP SourcePatent Application ContentDisclosure RequirementsClaim Subject Matter
Topic

Assignee as Applicant Signature

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-01-c-b55b8944d662dab92bcc9e7b]
Safety Not Needed for Invention
Note:
The applicant does not need to prove that the invention is completely safe. This aligns with MPEP sections 2107.01 and 2107.03.

For example, it is not necessary to specify the dosage or method of use if it is known to one skilled in the art that such information could be obtained without undue experimentation. If one skilled in the art, based on knowledge of compounds having similar physiological or biological activity, would be able to discern an appropriate dosage or method of use without undue experimentation, this would be sufficient to satisfy 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph. The applicant need not demonstrate that the invention is completely safe. See also MPEP §§ 2107.01 and 2107.03.

Jump to MPEP SourceAssignee as Applicant SignatureApplicant and Assignee Filing Under AIATest of Enablement (MPEP 2164.01)
Topic

Required Claim Content

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2164-01-c-27a38c0d8313485142a0afd9]
Enablement Requirement for Each Disclosed Use
Note:
An enablement rejection must explain why the specification fails to enable each disclosed use of claimed compounds or compositions.

In contrast, when a compound or composition claim is not limited by a recited use, any enabled use that would reasonably correlate with the entire scope of that claim is sufficient to preclude a rejection for nonenablement based on how to use. If multiple uses for claimed compounds or compositions are disclosed in the application, then an enablement rejection must include an explanation, sufficiently supported by the evidence, why the specification fails to enable each disclosed use. In other words, if any use is enabled when multiple uses are disclosed, the application is enabling for the claimed invention.

Jump to MPEP SourceRequired Claim ContentEnablement Support for Claims

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Assignee as Applicant Signature
Patent Application Content
Test of Enablement (MPEP 2164.01)
35 U.S.C. § 112
Assignee as Applicant Signature
Test of Enablement (MPEP 2164.01)
35 U.S.C. § 112(a)
Assignee as Applicant Signature
Test of Enablement (MPEP 2164.01)
MPEP § 2107.01
Patent Application ContentIn re Brana, 51 F.3d 1560, 1566, 34 USPQ2d 1436, 1441 (Fed. Cir. 1995)
Patent Application ContentIn re Hitchings, 342 F.2d 80, 87, 144 USPQ 637, 643 (CCPA 1965)
Patent Application ContentIn re Johnson, 282 F.2d 370, 373, 127 USPQ 216, 219 (CCPA 1960)
In re Vaeck, 947 F.2d 488, 495, 20 USPQ2d 1438, 1444 (Fed. Cir. 1991)

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