MPEP § 2315 — Action After a Derivation Proceeding is Decided (Annotated Rules)

§2315 Action After a Derivation Proceeding is Decided

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2315, 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.

Action After a Derivation Proceeding is Decided

This section addresses Action After a Derivation Proceeding is Decided. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 135(b). Contains: 2 requirements, 3 guidance statements, 1 permission, and 4 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Derivation Proceedings (AIA)

4 rules
MPEP GuidanceRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2315-8279c3beae6e525a8b47c901]
Update Search for Unresolved Claims After Derivation Proceeding
Note:
Examiner must update search and may reopen prosecution for claims not finally disposed of in the judgment after a derivation proceeding is decided.

If there are claims that are not finally disposed of in the judgment, the examiner should update the search and may reopen prosecution for any claim not disposed of in the judgment, where appropriate.

Jump to MPEP SourceDerivation Proceedings (AIA)
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2315-c42d466b342ae01131e41dff]
Claim Disposition After Derivation Proceeding
Note:
A claim is finally disposed of and no further action is needed from the examiner after a derivation proceeding results in a judgment against the claim. If all claims are not allowable, a notice of abandonment should be issued.

Judgment against a claim in a derivation proceeding finally disposes of the claim. No further action is needed from the examiner on that claim. If no claim remains allowable to the applicant, a notice of abandonment should be issued.

Jump to MPEP SourceDerivation Proceedings (AIA)
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2315-c13cfce18f399a2fa3062b4c]
No Further Examiner Action Required After Derivation Proceeding
Note:
After a derivation proceeding is decided, no further action is needed from the examiner on that claim. If all claims are abandoned, a notice of abandonment should be issued.

Judgment against a claim in a derivation proceeding finally disposes of the claim. No further action is needed from the examiner on that claim. If no claim remains allowable to the applicant, a notice of abandonment should be issued.

Jump to MPEP SourceDerivation Proceedings (AIA)
MPEP GuidanceRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2315-953e7bd99225413ed269c11f]
Notice of Abandonment Required When No Claims Remain Allowable
Note:
If no claims remain allowable to the applicant after a derivation proceeding, a notice of abandonment must be issued.

Judgment against a claim in a derivation proceeding finally disposes of the claim. No further action is needed from the examiner on that claim. If no claim remains allowable to the applicant, a notice of abandonment should be issued.

Jump to MPEP SourceDerivation Proceedings (AIA)
Topic

PTAB Jurisdiction

3 rules
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2315-a7b1dac34c4de5895c139477]
Examiner Must Reopen After Derivation Proceeding
Note:
The examiner must resume examination of the application after a derivation proceeding ends, considering any recommended actions.

Jurisdiction over an application returns to the examiner once the derivation proceeding has terminated. If there is a recommendation for further action in the application, the examiner must reopen prosecution to consider the recommendation. The examiner must enter any recommended rejection, and must maintain the rejection unless the applicant by amendment or submission of new evidence overcomes the rejection to the examiner’s satisfaction.

Jump to MPEP SourcePTAB JurisdictionPTAB Contested Case ProceduresDerivation Proceedings (AIA)
MPEP GuidanceRequiredAlways
[mpep-2315-7d0ffe95ba7f14e79cda9212]
Examiner Must Reopen Prosecution for Further Action
Note:
The examiner must reopen prosecution to consider any recommendation for further action in the application.

Jurisdiction over an application returns to the examiner once the derivation proceeding has terminated. If there is a recommendation for further action in the application, the examiner must reopen prosecution to consider the recommendation. The examiner must enter any recommended rejection, and must maintain the rejection unless the applicant by amendment or submission of new evidence overcomes the rejection to the examiner’s satisfaction.

Jump to MPEP SourcePTAB JurisdictionPTAB Contested Case ProceduresDerivation Proceedings (AIA)
MPEP GuidanceRequiredAlways
[mpep-2315-c1683de50b4be8f8a08baf76]
Examiner Must Maintain Rejection Unless Overcome
Note:
The examiner must maintain any recommended rejection unless the applicant overcomes it through amendment or new evidence.

Jurisdiction over an application returns to the examiner once the derivation proceeding has terminated. If there is a recommendation for further action in the application, the examiner must reopen prosecution to consider the recommendation. The examiner must enter any recommended rejection, and must maintain the rejection unless the applicant by amendment or submission of new evidence overcomes the rejection to the examiner’s satisfaction.

Jump to MPEP SourcePTAB JurisdictionPTAB Contested Case ProceduresDerivation Proceedings (AIA)
Topic

Correspondence Address Requirements

2 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2315-d6e8242f658cea78bc8d3642]
Inventorship and Ownership Changes Require Address Updates
Note:
When inventorship or ownership of a patent application changes, the application’s correspondence address and representatives must be updated accordingly.

It is possible that extraordinary remedies might be provided for by the Board in its judgment. For example, inventorship of an application might be changed, as well as ownership, and as a consequence the application or patent’s correspondence address and representatives may need to be updated. See 35 U.S.C. 135(b). Examiners should consult a Technology Center Practice Specialist if any questions arise regarding remedies provided for in a derivation proceeding.

Jump to MPEP SourceCorrespondence Address RequirementsCorrespondence with the OfficeCorrespondence Address
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2315-a9e77b97fd1a68cea4f82b9e]
Consult Specialist on Derivation Proceeding Remedies
Note:
Examiners should seek guidance from a Technology Center Practice Specialist when questions arise about remedies provided in derivation proceedings.

It is possible that extraordinary remedies might be provided for by the Board in its judgment. For example, inventorship of an application might be changed, as well as ownership, and as a consequence the application or patent’s correspondence address and representatives may need to be updated. See 35 U.S.C. 135(b). Examiners should consult a Technology Center Practice Specialist if any questions arise regarding remedies provided for in a derivation proceeding.

Jump to MPEP SourceCorrespondence Address RequirementsCorrespondence with the OfficeEstoppel After Judgment
Topic

Estoppel After Judgment

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2315-f7c2b47178034a8e776558ee]
Extraordinary Remedies May Be Provided by Board
Note:
The Board may provide remedies such as changing inventorship, ownership, and updating correspondence address and representatives after a derivation proceeding.

It is possible that extraordinary remedies might be provided for by the Board in its judgment. For example, inventorship of an application might be changed, as well as ownership, and as a consequence the application or patent’s correspondence address and representatives may need to be updated. See 35 U.S.C. 135(b). Examiners should consult a Technology Center Practice Specialist if any questions arise regarding remedies provided for in a derivation proceeding.

Jump to MPEP SourceEstoppel After JudgmentPTAB JurisdictionPTAB Contested Case Procedures

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Correspondence Address Requirements
Estoppel After Judgment
35 U.S.C. § 135(b)

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