MPEP § 606 — Title of Invention (Annotated Rules)

§606 Title of Invention

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 606, 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.

Title of Invention

This section addresses Title of Invention. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.76), 37 CFR 1.72, and 37 CFR 1.76. Contains: 3 guidance statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Application Data Sheet

5 rules
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-606-07c3124b9dd04bb5d111a13b]
Title of Invention Must Be Short and Specific
Note:
The title of the invention should not exceed 500 characters and must be concise and descriptive.

(a) The title of the invention may not exceed 500 characters in length and must be as short and specific as possible. Characters that cannot be captured and recorded in the Office’s automated information systems may not be reflected in the Office’s records in such systems or in documents created by the Office. Unless the title is supplied in an application data sheet (§ 1.76), the title of the invention should appear as a heading on the first page of the specification.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.76Application Data SheetPatent Application Content
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-606-4b1e94e140cf6759a531b56a]
Title Must Be Under 500 Characters
Note:
The title of the invention must not exceed 500 characters and should appear as a heading on the first page of the specification unless supplied in an application data sheet.

(a) The title of the invention may not exceed 500 characters in length and must be as short and specific as possible. Characters that cannot be captured and recorded in the Office’s automated information systems may not be reflected in the Office’s records in such systems or in documents created by the Office. Unless the title is supplied in an application data sheet (§ 1.76), the title of the invention should appear as a heading on the first page of the specification.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.76Application Data SheetPatent Application Content
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-606-11380a4deaf4902ac430d223]
Title Must Appear on First Page
Note:
The title of the invention must appear as a heading on the first page of the specification unless supplied in an application data sheet.

(a) The title of the invention may not exceed 500 characters in length and must be as short and specific as possible. Characters that cannot be captured and recorded in the Office’s automated information systems may not be reflected in the Office’s records in such systems or in documents created by the Office. Unless the title is supplied in an application data sheet (§ 1.76), the title of the invention should appear as a heading on the first page of the specification.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.76Application Data SheetPatent Application Content
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-606-8d51b363a16448b4d2af8b69]
Title Must Be on First Page Unless Provided in Application Data Sheet
Note:
The title of the invention should be placed at the top of the first page of the specification unless it is provided in the application data sheet.

The title of the invention should be placed at the top of the first page of the specification unless it is provided in the application data sheet (see 37 CFR 1.76). The title should be brief but technically accurate and descriptive and should contain fewer than 500 characters.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.76)Application Data SheetPatent Application Content
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-606-637129710169a3c21f824fdb]
Title for Patent Application Required
Note:
The title must be brief, technically accurate, and descriptive, placed at the top of the first page of the specification unless provided in the application data sheet.

The title of the invention should be placed at the top of the first page of the specification unless it is provided in the application data sheet (see 37 CFR 1.76). The title should be brief but technically accurate and descriptive and should contain fewer than 500 characters.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.76)Application Data SheetPatent Application Content
Topic

Design Patent Term

1 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-606-f05b6b64c20c131b31b2514f]
Words Not Part of Title Excluded
Note:
Terms like 'new' and 'design' are excluded from the title unless part of a proper name.
The words listed below are not considered as part of the title of an invention, these words should not be included at the beginning of the title of the invention and will be deleted when the Office enters the title into the Office’s computer records, and when any patent issues. The term "new" will not be deleted when it is a part of a proper name, such as "New York". Similarly, the term "design" will not be deleted when it is a part of a term, such as "Design-aiding apparatus…".
  • A
  • An
  • The
  • Improved
  • Improvement(s) in/for/of
  • New
  • Novel
  • Related to
  • Design
  • Design for/of (a)
  • Ornamental design
  • Ornamental
Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.72Design Patent TermOrnamentality RequirementDesign Patent Subject Matter

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Application Data Sheet37 CFR § 1.76

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