MPEP § 2762 — Duty of Disclosure in Patent Term Extension Proceedings (Annotated Rules)

§2762 Duty of Disclosure in Patent Term Extension Proceedings

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2762, 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.

Duty of Disclosure in Patent Term Extension Proceedings

This section addresses Duty of Disclosure in Patent Term Extension Proceedings. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.765. Contains: 1 requirement, 1 guidance statement, 1 permission, and 2 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Individuals Under Duty

5 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2762-0ff60c290256921ced68269b]
Individuals Must Disclose Adverse Information in Patent Term Extension Proceedings
Note:
All individuals involved in a patent term extension proceeding must disclose any material adverse information to the Office or Secretary as soon as practical after becoming aware of it.

(a) A duty of candor and good faith toward the Patent and Trademark Office and the Secretary of Health and Human Services or the Secretary of Agriculture rests on the patent owner or its agent, on each attorney or agent who represents the patent owner and on every other individual who is substantively involved on behalf of the patent owner in a patent term extension proceeding. All such individuals who are aware, or become aware, of material information adverse to a determination of entitlement to the extension sought, which has not been previously made of record in the patent term extension proceeding must bring such information to the attention of the Office or the Secretary, as appropriate, in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section, as soon as it is practical to do so after the individual becomes aware of the information. Information is material where there is a substantial likelihood that the Office or the Secretary would consider it important in determinations to be made in the patent term extension proceeding.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.765Individuals Under DutyScope of DutyMaterial Information Definition
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2762-b0306373b5a87f4e985d45d0]
Patent Owner Can Disclose Through Agent
Note:
Patent owners can disclose information through an attorney or agent responsible for the patent term extension proceeding, or directly if acting on their own behalf.

(b) Disclosures pursuant to this section must be accompanied by a copy of each written document which is being disclosed. The disclosure must be made to the Office or the Secretary, as appropriate, unless the disclosure is material to determinations to be made by both the Office and the Secretary, in which case duplicate copies, certified as such, must be filed in the Office and with the Secretary. Disclosures pursuant to this section may be made to the Office or the Secretary, as appropriate, through an attorney or agent having responsibility on behalf of the patent owner or its agent for the patent term extension proceeding or through a patent owner acting on his or her own behalf. Disclosure to such an attorney, agent or patent owner shall satisfy the duty of any other individual. Such an attorney, agent or patent owner has no duty to transmit information which is not material to the determination of entitlement to the extension sought.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.765Individuals Under DutyPatent Term ExtensionPatent Term
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2762-4c3da4aa7008ada0dfb3efc9]
Disclosure to Attorney Satisfies Duty
Note:
Disclosures made to an attorney, agent, or patent owner satisfy the duty of disclosure for any other individual in patent term extension proceedings.

(b) Disclosures pursuant to this section must be accompanied by a copy of each written document which is being disclosed. The disclosure must be made to the Office or the Secretary, as appropriate, unless the disclosure is material to determinations to be made by both the Office and the Secretary, in which case duplicate copies, certified as such, must be filed in the Office and with the Secretary. Disclosures pursuant to this section may be made to the Office or the Secretary, as appropriate, through an attorney or agent having responsibility on behalf of the patent owner or its agent for the patent term extension proceeding or through a patent owner acting on his or her own behalf. Disclosure to such an attorney, agent or patent owner shall satisfy the duty of any other individual. Such an attorney, agent or patent owner has no duty to transmit information which is not material to the determination of entitlement to the extension sought.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.765Individuals Under DutyDuty of Disclosure FundamentalsDuty of Disclosure in PTE
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2762-fea60723af9dc1a07ce3ec14]
Attorney Duty Not to Transmit Irrelevant Information
Note:
An attorney, agent, or patent owner does not have a duty to transmit information that is not relevant to the determination of entitlement to an extension sought.

(b) Disclosures pursuant to this section must be accompanied by a copy of each written document which is being disclosed. The disclosure must be made to the Office or the Secretary, as appropriate, unless the disclosure is material to determinations to be made by both the Office and the Secretary, in which case duplicate copies, certified as such, must be filed in the Office and with the Secretary. Disclosures pursuant to this section may be made to the Office or the Secretary, as appropriate, through an attorney or agent having responsibility on behalf of the patent owner or its agent for the patent term extension proceeding or through a patent owner acting on his or her own behalf. Disclosure to such an attorney, agent or patent owner shall satisfy the duty of any other individual. Such an attorney, agent or patent owner has no duty to transmit information which is not material to the determination of entitlement to the extension sought.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.765Individuals Under DutyMaterial Information DefinitionPTE Determination Procedure
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2762-e8b6212262243c84b14fc54d]
Patent Owner Must Disclose Adverse Information
Note:
The patent owner and their representatives must disclose any material information adverse to a patent term extension as soon as practicable after becoming aware of it.

A duty of candor and good faith toward the USPTO, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Agriculture rests on the patent owner or its agent, on each attorney or agent who represents the patent owner, and on every other individual who is substantively involved on behalf of the patent owner in a patent term extension proceeding. All such individuals who are aware, or become aware, of material information adverse to a determination of entitlement to the extension sought, which has not been previously made of record in the patent term extension proceeding, must bring such information to the attention of the Office or the Secretary, as appropriate, as soon as it is practicable to do so after the individual becomes aware of the information. Information is “material” when there is a substantial likelihood that the Office or the Secretary would consider it important in determinations to be made in the patent term extension proceeding. Any such material information should be submitted to the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, or the Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate, accompanied by a copy of each written document being disclosed. The information may be submitted through a registered practitioner. The USPTO patent electronic filing system includes the document description “Disclosure Under 37 CFR 1.765 in a Patent Term Extension Application” (document code TERM.PTE.DIS) for disclosures to the USPTO under 37 CFR 1.765.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.765Individuals Under DutyScope of DutyMaterial Information Definition
Topic

Material Information Definition

3 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2762-85dd5fe4be1f31ba5fa057a2]
Material Information Must Be Disclosed
Note:
Patent owners and their representatives must disclose material information that could affect patent term extension determinations to the Office or Secretary as soon as it is practical after becoming aware of it.

(a) A duty of candor and good faith toward the Patent and Trademark Office and the Secretary of Health and Human Services or the Secretary of Agriculture rests on the patent owner or its agent, on each attorney or agent who represents the patent owner and on every other individual who is substantively involved on behalf of the patent owner in a patent term extension proceeding. All such individuals who are aware, or become aware, of material information adverse to a determination of entitlement to the extension sought, which has not been previously made of record in the patent term extension proceeding must bring such information to the attention of the Office or the Secretary, as appropriate, in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section, as soon as it is practical to do so after the individual becomes aware of the information. Information is material where there is a substantial likelihood that the Office or the Secretary would consider it important in determinations to be made in the patent term extension proceeding.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.765Material Information DefinitionMateriality StandardPatent Term Extension
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2762-74f8047197d1e3061e90bf0e]
Duplicate Copies for Joint Determinations Must Be Filed
Note:
Disclosures must include duplicate copies certified by both the Office and Secretary if material to joint determinations.

(b) Disclosures pursuant to this section must be accompanied by a copy of each written document which is being disclosed. The disclosure must be made to the Office or the Secretary, as appropriate, unless the disclosure is material to determinations to be made by both the Office and the Secretary, in which case duplicate copies, certified as such, must be filed in the Office and with the Secretary. Disclosures pursuant to this section may be made to the Office or the Secretary, as appropriate, through an attorney or agent having responsibility on behalf of the patent owner or its agent for the patent term extension proceeding or through a patent owner acting on his or her own behalf. Disclosure to such an attorney, agent or patent owner shall satisfy the duty of any other individual. Such an attorney, agent or patent owner has no duty to transmit information which is not material to the determination of entitlement to the extension sought.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.765Material Information DefinitionMateriality StandardDuty of Disclosure in PTE
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2762-5c4c37e691ab8a23091e9b97]
Material Information Must Be Disclosed to Relevant Officials
Note:
Patent owners and their representatives must disclose material information that could affect patent term extension determinations to the appropriate official, including copies of any relevant documents.

A duty of candor and good faith toward the USPTO, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Agriculture rests on the patent owner or its agent, on each attorney or agent who represents the patent owner, and on every other individual who is substantively involved on behalf of the patent owner in a patent term extension proceeding. All such individuals who are aware, or become aware, of material information adverse to a determination of entitlement to the extension sought, which has not been previously made of record in the patent term extension proceeding, must bring such information to the attention of the Office or the Secretary, as appropriate, as soon as it is practicable to do so after the individual becomes aware of the information. Information is “material” when there is a substantial likelihood that the Office or the Secretary would consider it important in determinations to be made in the patent term extension proceeding. Any such material information should be submitted to the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, or the Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate, accompanied by a copy of each written document being disclosed. The information may be submitted through a registered practitioner. The USPTO patent electronic filing system includes the document description “Disclosure Under 37 CFR 1.765 in a Patent Term Extension Application” (document code TERM.PTE.DIS) for disclosures to the USPTO under 37 CFR 1.765.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.765Material Information DefinitionDuty of Disclosure in PTEMateriality Standard
Topic

PTE Determination Procedure

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2762-dcde7795fb9a3fcf0108a2c7]
Fraud or Disclosure Violation Bars Patent Term Extension
Note:
If fraud on the Office or Secretary is practiced or attempted, or if there's a violation of the duty of disclosure through bad faith or gross negligence in patent term extension proceedings, the patent will not be eligible for extension.

(c) No patent will be determined eligible for extension and no extension will be issued if it is determined that fraud on the Office or the Secretary was practiced or attempted or the duty of disclosure was violated through bad faith or gross negligence in connection with the patent term extension proceeding. If it is established by clear and convincing evidence that any fraud was practiced or attempted on the Office or the Secretary in connection with the patent term extension proceeding or that there was any violation of the duty of disclosure through bad faith or gross negligence in connection with the patent term extension proceeding, a final determination will be made pursuant to § 1.750 that the patent is not eligible for extension.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.750PTE Determination ProcedureDuty of Disclosure in PTEPTE Eligibility Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2762-1f3d9e540eb6ae2aa1d85880]
Requirement for Honest Disclosure During PTE Proceedings
Note:
Patent term extension eligibility will not be determined if fraud, attempted fraud, or violation of the duty of disclosure through bad faith or gross negligence is found during the proceeding.

A determination of eligibility for an extension or the issuance of a certificate will not be made if clear and convincing evidence of fraud or attempted fraud on the Office or a Secretary is determined to be present, or the duty of disclosure is determined to have been violated through bad faith or gross negligence in connection with the patent term extension proceeding. Since the determination as to whether a patent is eligible for extension may be made solely on the basis of the representations made in the application for extension, a final determination to refuse a patent term extension because of fraud or a violation of the duty of disclosure is expected to be rare. See MPEP § 2010.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.765PTE Determination ProcedureDuty of Disclosure in PTEPatent Term Extension
Topic

Duty of Disclosure in PTE

2 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2762-a94ad3cf941d72934494314a]
Material Information Must Be Disclosed by Registered Practitioner
Note:
All individuals involved in patent term extension proceedings must disclose material adverse information to the Office or Secretary through a registered practitioner as soon as practicable.

A duty of candor and good faith toward the USPTO, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Agriculture rests on the patent owner or its agent, on each attorney or agent who represents the patent owner, and on every other individual who is substantively involved on behalf of the patent owner in a patent term extension proceeding. All such individuals who are aware, or become aware, of material information adverse to a determination of entitlement to the extension sought, which has not been previously made of record in the patent term extension proceeding, must bring such information to the attention of the Office or the Secretary, as appropriate, as soon as it is practicable to do so after the individual becomes aware of the information. Information is “material” when there is a substantial likelihood that the Office or the Secretary would consider it important in determinations to be made in the patent term extension proceeding. Any such material information should be submitted to the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, or the Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate, accompanied by a copy of each written document being disclosed. The information may be submitted through a registered practitioner. The USPTO patent electronic filing system includes the document description “Disclosure Under 37 CFR 1.765 in a Patent Term Extension Application” (document code TERM.PTE.DIS) for disclosures to the USPTO under 37 CFR 1.765.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.765Duty of Disclosure in PTEDuty of DisclosureIndividuals Under Duty
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2762-304a25b5de964caba8e88c6b]
Disclosure Under 37 CFR 1.765 in a Patent Term Extension Application Must Be Made
Note:
All individuals involved in patent term extension proceedings must disclose material information adverse to entitlement to the extension sought as soon as practicable.

A duty of candor and good faith toward the USPTO, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Agriculture rests on the patent owner or its agent, on each attorney or agent who represents the patent owner, and on every other individual who is substantively involved on behalf of the patent owner in a patent term extension proceeding. All such individuals who are aware, or become aware, of material information adverse to a determination of entitlement to the extension sought, which has not been previously made of record in the patent term extension proceeding, must bring such information to the attention of the Office or the Secretary, as appropriate, as soon as it is practicable to do so after the individual becomes aware of the information. Information is “material” when there is a substantial likelihood that the Office or the Secretary would consider it important in determinations to be made in the patent term extension proceeding. Any such material information should be submitted to the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, or the Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate, accompanied by a copy of each written document being disclosed. The information may be submitted through a registered practitioner. The USPTO patent electronic filing system includes the document description “Disclosure Under 37 CFR 1.765 in a Patent Term Extension Application” (document code TERM.PTE.DIS) for disclosures to the USPTO under 37 CFR 1.765.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.765Duty of Disclosure in PTEPatent Term ExtensionPatent Term
Topic

PTE Application Requirements

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2762-7e21580f5be49507696090fe]
Determination Based on Application Representations
Note:
A final determination to refuse a patent term extension due to fraud or duty of disclosure violation is expected to be rare, as it can be based solely on the representations in the application for extension.

A determination of eligibility for an extension or the issuance of a certificate will not be made if clear and convincing evidence of fraud or attempted fraud on the Office or a Secretary is determined to be present, or the duty of disclosure is determined to have been violated through bad faith or gross negligence in connection with the patent term extension proceeding. Since the determination as to whether a patent is eligible for extension may be made solely on the basis of the representations made in the application for extension, a final determination to refuse a patent term extension because of fraud or a violation of the duty of disclosure is expected to be rare. See MPEP § 2010.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.765PTE Application RequirementsPTE Determination ProcedureDuty of Disclosure in PTE

Citations

Primary topicCitation
PTE Determination Procedure37 CFR § 1.750
Duty of Disclosure in PTE
Individuals Under Duty
Material Information Definition
37 CFR § 1.765
PTE Application Requirements
PTE Determination Procedure
MPEP § 2010

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