MPEP § 2407.06 — Replacement May Not Be Recognized (Annotated Rules)

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2407.06, 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.

Replacement May Not Be Recognized

This section addresses Replacement May Not Be Recognized. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.805(i).

Key Rules

Mandatory Requirements (1)

StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2407-06-5a2e5c4584592eeadd038b7a]
Best Evidence of Original Deposit Must Not Be Lost
Note:
The original deposit evidence must be preserved and not destroyed or replaced when associated with an existing patent.

37 CFR 1.805(i) indicates that the Office will not recognize in any Office proceeding a replacement deposit made by the patent owner where the depository could furnish samples of the original deposit being replaced. The best evidence of what was originally deposited should not be lost through destruction or replacement if made in association with an existing patent. A supplemental deposit may be accepted in an Office proceeding, however, depending on the circumstances in each case.

Exceptions & Carve-Outs (1)

StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2407-06-454768fff6b06709ab44c50c]
Supplemental Deposit May Be Accepted Depending on Circumstances
Note:
A supplemental deposit can be accepted in an Office proceeding, but it depends on the specific circumstances of each case.

37 CFR 1.805(i) indicates that the Office will not recognize in any Office proceeding a replacement deposit made by the patent owner where the depository could furnish samples of the original deposit being replaced. The best evidence of what was originally deposited should not be lost through destruction or replacement if made in association with an existing patent. A supplemental deposit may be accepted in an Office proceeding, however, depending on the circumstances in each case.

Definitions & Scope (1)

StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2407-06-4de2eb464204a4f1ee6fa2c0]
Replacement Deposit Not Recognized If Original Sample Available
Note:
The Office will not accept a replacement deposit if the original sample is still available at the depository.

37 CFR 1.805(i) indicates that the Office will not recognize in any Office proceeding a replacement deposit made by the patent owner where the depository could furnish samples of the original deposit being replaced. The best evidence of what was originally deposited should not be lost through destruction or replacement if made in association with an existing patent. A supplemental deposit may be accepted in an Office proceeding, however, depending on the circumstances in each case.

Citations

Primary topicCitation
37 CFR § 1.805(i)

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: 2026-01-17