MPEP § 707.07(l) — Comment on Examples (Annotated Rules)

§707.07(l) Comment on Examples

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2026-01-17

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 707.07(l), 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.

Comment on Examples

This section addresses Comment on Examples. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 112(a), 35 U.S.C. 112, and 35 U.S.C. 101. Contains: 1 requirement and 4 guidance statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Assignee as Applicant Signature

3 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-707-07-l-3f011ae2adedd29c5a596518]
Examiner Must Not Question Test Results Without Reasonable Basis
Note:
The examiner should not challenge test results unless there is a valid reason, and the applicant must respond with evidence or arguments if challenged.

The results of the tests and examples should not normally be questioned by the examiner unless there is reasonable basis for questioning the results. If the examiner questions the results, the appropriate claims should be rejected as being based on an insufficient disclosure under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112. In re Borkowski, 422 F.2d 904, 164 USPQ 642 (CCPA 1970). See MPEP §§ 2161 – 2164.08(c) for a discussion of the written description and enablement requirements of 35 U.S.C 112. The applicant must reply to the rejection, for example, by providing the results of an actual test or example which has been conducted, or by providing relevant arguments that there is strong reason to believe that the result would be as predicted. Care should be taken that new matter is not entered into the application.

Jump to MPEP SourceAssignee as Applicant SignatureApplicant and Assignee Filing Under AIAAIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-707-07-l-1558b477323bd160336361c1]
Requirement for Providing Test Results or Arguments
Note:
The applicant must provide test results or arguments showing the predicted outcome when challenged by the examiner.

The results of the tests and examples should not normally be questioned by the examiner unless there is reasonable basis for questioning the results. If the examiner questions the results, the appropriate claims should be rejected as being based on an insufficient disclosure under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112. In re Borkowski, 422 F.2d 904, 164 USPQ 642 (CCPA 1970). See MPEP §§ 2161 – 2164.08(c) for a discussion of the written description and enablement requirements of 35 U.S.C 112. The applicant must reply to the rejection, for example, by providing the results of an actual test or example which has been conducted, or by providing relevant arguments that there is strong reason to believe that the result would be as predicted. Care should be taken that new matter is not entered into the application.

Jump to MPEP SourceAssignee as Applicant SignatureApplicant and Assignee Filing Under AIAAIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-707-07-l-1d5dc65645001159f09e674a]
No New Matter In Application
Note:
The application must not include new matter that was not originally disclosed.

The results of the tests and examples should not normally be questioned by the examiner unless there is reasonable basis for questioning the results. If the examiner questions the results, the appropriate claims should be rejected as being based on an insufficient disclosure under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112. In re Borkowski, 422 F.2d 904, 164 USPQ 642 (CCPA 1970). See MPEP §§ 2161 – 2164.08(c) for a discussion of the written description and enablement requirements of 35 U.S.C 112. The applicant must reply to the rejection, for example, by providing the results of an actual test or example which has been conducted, or by providing relevant arguments that there is strong reason to believe that the result would be as predicted. Care should be taken that new matter is not entered into the application.

Jump to MPEP SourceAssignee as Applicant SignatureApplicant and Assignee Filing Under AIAAIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
Topic

AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice

1 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-707-07-l-be6f03a7c7ee3bcd957a2f63]
Claims Must Be Supported by Test Results
Note:
If the examiner questions the test results, claims must be rejected as not supported by sufficient disclosure under 35 U.S.C. 112.

The results of the tests and examples should not normally be questioned by the examiner unless there is reasonable basis for questioning the results. If the examiner questions the results, the appropriate claims should be rejected as being based on an insufficient disclosure under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112. In re Borkowski, 422 F.2d 904, 164 USPQ 642 (CCPA 1970). See MPEP §§ 2161 – 2164.08(c) for a discussion of the written description and enablement requirements of 35 U.S.C 112. The applicant must reply to the rejection, for example, by providing the results of an actual test or example which has been conducted, or by providing relevant arguments that there is strong reason to believe that the result would be as predicted. Care should be taken that new matter is not entered into the application.

Jump to MPEP SourceAIA vs Pre-AIA PracticeAssignee as Applicant SignatureApplicant and Assignee Filing Under AIA
Topic

Utility Requirement

1 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-707-07-l-c3e51820b7dc29379422a3f0]
Consider Section 101 Rejection When Utility Is Questioned
Note:
When there are doubts about the operability or utility of an invention, a rejection under 35 U.S.C. 101 should be considered.

If questions are present as to operability or utility, consideration should be given to the applicability of a rejection under 35 U.S.C. 101. See MPEP § 2107 et seq.

Jump to MPEP SourceUtility RequirementPatent Eligibility

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Utility Requirement35 U.S.C. § 101
AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
Assignee as Applicant Signature
35 U.S.C. § 112
AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
Assignee as Applicant Signature
35 U.S.C. § 112(a)
Utility RequirementMPEP § 2107
AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
Assignee as Applicant Signature
MPEP § 2161
AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
Assignee as Applicant Signature
In re Borkowski, 422 F.2d 904, 164 USPQ 642 (CCPA 1970)

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