MPEP § 2407.01 — In a Pending Application (Annotated Rules)

§2407.01 In a Pending Application

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2407.01, 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.

In a Pending Application

This section addresses In a Pending Application. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 112, 37 CFR 1.805(a), and 37 CFR 1.802(b). Contains: 2 requirements, 2 prohibitions, 1 guidance statement, and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

Access to Pending Applications

3 rules
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-2407-01-48698dd6ddc72bcef032b0b1]
Notification Required When Deposit Cannot Be Furnished
Note:
Applicants must notify the Office if the depository of a referenced deposit cannot provide samples, treating the application as lacking a deposit and requiring a replacement or supplemental deposit.

Pursuant to 37 CFR 1.805(a), an applicant is required to notify the Office when it obtains information that the depository possessing a deposit referenced in an application cannot furnish samples of the deposit. When the Office is so informed or otherwise becomes aware that samples of the deposited material cannot be furnished by the depository, the examiner will treat the application as if no deposit existed. A replacement or supplemental deposit must be made if access to the deposited material is necessary to satisfy the requirements for patentability under 35 U.S.C. 112. A replacement or supplemental deposit will be accepted if it meets all the requirements for making an original deposit.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.805(a)Access to Pending ApplicationsAccess to Patent Application Files (MPEP 101-106)Access to Deposited Material
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-2407-01-d417699e9b80e1aabf4d2a9a]
No Deposit If Samples Unavailable
Note:
If the Office is informed that samples of deposited material cannot be provided by the depository, the application will be treated as if no deposit existed.

Pursuant to 37 CFR 1.805(a), an applicant is required to notify the Office when it obtains information that the depository possessing a deposit referenced in an application cannot furnish samples of the deposit. When the Office is so informed or otherwise becomes aware that samples of the deposited material cannot be furnished by the depository, the examiner will treat the application as if no deposit existed. A replacement or supplemental deposit must be made if access to the deposited material is necessary to satisfy the requirements for patentability under 35 U.S.C. 112. A replacement or supplemental deposit will be accepted if it meets all the requirements for making an original deposit.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.805(a)Access to Pending ApplicationsAccess to Patent Application Files (MPEP 101-106)Deposit of Biological Materials
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2407-01-69cfba24c06c25b2c7aed97f]
Replacement or Supplemental Deposit Required If Original Does Not Meet Requirements
Note:
An applicant must provide a replacement or supplemental deposit that meets all original deposit requirements if the current deposit cannot be used to satisfy patentability under 35 U.S.C. 112.

Pursuant to 37 CFR 1.805(a), an applicant is required to notify the Office when it obtains information that the depository possessing a deposit referenced in an application cannot furnish samples of the deposit. When the Office is so informed or otherwise becomes aware that samples of the deposited material cannot be furnished by the depository, the examiner will treat the application as if no deposit existed. A replacement or supplemental deposit must be made if access to the deposited material is necessary to satisfy the requirements for patentability under 35 U.S.C. 112. A replacement or supplemental deposit will be accepted if it meets all the requirements for making an original deposit.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.805(a)Access to Pending ApplicationsAccess to Patent Application Files (MPEP 101-106)Access to Deposited Material
Topic

Access to Patent Application Files (MPEP 101-106)

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2407-01-ba6adb6225521b573502fe18]
Replacement Deposit Required for Patentability
Note:
A replacement or supplemental deposit must be made if access to the deposited material is necessary to satisfy patentability requirements under 35 U.S.C. 112.

Pursuant to 37 CFR 1.805(a), an applicant is required to notify the Office when it obtains information that the depository possessing a deposit referenced in an application cannot furnish samples of the deposit. When the Office is so informed or otherwise becomes aware that samples of the deposited material cannot be furnished by the depository, the examiner will treat the application as if no deposit existed. A replacement or supplemental deposit must be made if access to the deposited material is necessary to satisfy the requirements for patentability under 35 U.S.C. 112. A replacement or supplemental deposit will be accepted if it meets all the requirements for making an original deposit.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.805(a)Access to Patent Application Files (MPEP 101-106)Access to Pending ApplicationsWhen Deposit is Required
Topic

Deposit of Biological Materials

1 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2407-01-3fa434983077568a0964b26a]
Alternative Deposit of Biological Material Allowed
Note:
An applicant may deposit a new biological material in a pending application without replacing the previously deposited material, provided it is specifically identified and described as filed. The examiner must determine if this alternative deposit meets the requirements on a case-by-case basis.

It should be noted that in a pending application, an applicant need not replace the identical material previously deposited, but may make an original deposit of a biological material which is specifically identified and described in the application as filed. Whether this alternative deposit will meet the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112 with respect to the claimed subject matter must be resolved by the examiner on a case-by-case basis. The conditions in 37 CFR 1.802(b) and 37 CFR 1.804(b) must be satisfied.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.802(b)Deposit of Biological MaterialsTime of Making DepositWhen Deposit is Required
Topic

35 U.S.C. 112 – Disclosure Requirements

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2407-01-add235280eefdc2d995d939a]
Alternative Deposit Must Meet 112 Requirements
Note:
An examiner must determine on a case-by-case basis whether an alternative deposit satisfies the disclosure requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112.

It should be noted that in a pending application, an applicant need not replace the identical material previously deposited, but may make an original deposit of a biological material which is specifically identified and described in the application as filed. Whether this alternative deposit will meet the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112 with respect to the claimed subject matter must be resolved by the examiner on a case-by-case basis. The conditions in 37 CFR 1.802(b) and 37 CFR 1.804(b) must be satisfied.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.802(b)Disclosure RequirementsTime of Making DepositWhen Deposit is Required
Topic

Time of Making Deposit

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2407-01-593f875929b2741384466141]
Conditions for Alternative Deposit Must Be Met
Note:
Applicants must satisfy the conditions in 37 CFR 1.802(b) and 37 CFR 1.804(b) when making an original deposit of a biological material in a pending application.

It should be noted that in a pending application, an applicant need not replace the identical material previously deposited, but may make an original deposit of a biological material which is specifically identified and described in the application as filed. Whether this alternative deposit will meet the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112 with respect to the claimed subject matter must be resolved by the examiner on a case-by-case basis. The conditions in 37 CFR 1.802(b) and 37 CFR 1.804(b) must be satisfied.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.802(b)Time of Making DepositWhen Deposit is RequiredDeposit of Biological Materials

Citations

Primary topicCitation
35 U.S.C. 112 – Disclosure Requirements
Access to Patent Application Files (MPEP 101-106)
Access to Pending Applications
Deposit of Biological Materials
Time of Making Deposit
35 U.S.C. § 112
35 U.S.C. 112 – Disclosure Requirements
Deposit of Biological Materials
Time of Making Deposit
37 CFR § 1.802(b)
35 U.S.C. 112 – Disclosure Requirements
Deposit of Biological Materials
Time of Making Deposit
37 CFR § 1.804(b)
Access to Patent Application Files (MPEP 101-106)
Access to Pending Applications
37 CFR § 1.805(a)

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