MPEP § 715.01(b) — Reference and Application Have Common Assignee (Annotated Rules)
§715.01(b) Reference and Application Have Common Assignee
This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 715.01(b), 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.
Reference and Application Have Common Assignee
This section addresses Reference and Application Have Common Assignee.
Key Rules
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
[Editor Note: This MPEP section is not applicable to applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA unless being relied upon to overcome a rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g). See 35 U.S.C. 100 (note) and MPEP § 2159. For a discussion of 37 CFR 1.130, affidavits or declarations of attribution or prior public disclosure in applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA, see MPEP § 717. For a discussion of affidavits or declarations under 37 CFR 1.131(c), see MPEP § 718.]
The mere fact that the reference patent or application publication which discloses but does not claim certain subject matter and the application under examination which claims subject matter are owned by the same assignee does not avoid the necessity of filing an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.131(a), in the absence of a showing under 37 CFR 1.132 that the patentee derived (in the context of pre-AIA law) the subject matter relied on from the inventor (MPEP § 716.10). The common assignee does not obtain any rights in this regard by virtue of common ownership which they would not have in the absence of common ownership. In re Frilette, 412 F.2d 269, 162 USPQ 163 (CCPA 1969); Pierce v. Watson, 275 F.2d 890, 124 USPQ 356 (D.C. Cir. 1960); In re Beck, 155 F.2d 398, 69 USPQ 520 (CCPA 1946). Where, however, a rejection is applied under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(f) / 103 or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g) / 103, or, in an application filed on or after November 29, 1999, under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) / 103 using the reference, a showing that the invention was commonly owned, or subject to an obligation of assignment to the same person, at the time the later invention was made, would preclude such a rejection or be sufficient to overcome such a rejection. See MPEP §§ 2146.01 – MPEP § 2146.02. For applications subject to current 35 U.S.C. 102, see MPEP § 2154.02(c).
Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138)
[Editor Note: This MPEP section is not applicable to applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA unless being relied upon to overcome a rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g). See 35 U.S.C. 100 (note) and MPEP § 2159. For a discussion of 37 CFR 1.130, affidavits or declarations of attribution or prior public disclosure in applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA, see MPEP § 717. For a discussion of affidavits or declarations under 37 CFR 1.131(c), see MPEP § 718.]
AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
[Editor Note: This MPEP section is not applicable to applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA unless being relied upon to overcome a rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g). See 35 U.S.C. 100 (note) and MPEP § 2159. For a discussion of 37 CFR 1.130, affidavits or declarations of attribution or prior public disclosure in applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA, see MPEP § 717. For a discussion of affidavits or declarations under 37 CFR 1.131(c), see MPEP § 718.]
Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C)
The mere fact that the reference patent or application publication which discloses but does not claim certain subject matter and the application under examination which claims subject matter are owned by the same assignee does not avoid the necessity of filing an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.131(a), in the absence of a showing under 37 CFR 1.132 that the patentee derived (in the context of pre-AIA law) the subject matter relied on from the inventor (MPEP § 716.10). The common assignee does not obtain any rights in this regard by virtue of common ownership which they would not have in the absence of common ownership. In re Frilette, 412 F.2d 269, 162 USPQ 163 (CCPA 1969); Pierce v. Watson, 275 F.2d 890, 124 USPQ 356 (D.C. Cir. 1960); In re Beck, 155 F.2d 398, 69 USPQ 520 (CCPA 1946). Where, however, a rejection is applied under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(f) / 103 or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g) / 103, or, in an application filed on or after November 29, 1999, under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) / 103 using the reference, a showing that the invention was commonly owned, or subject to an obligation of assignment to the same person, at the time the later invention was made, would preclude such a rejection or be sufficient to overcome such a rejection. See MPEP §§ 2146.01 – MPEP § 2146.02. For applications subject to current 35 U.S.C. 102, see MPEP § 2154.02(c).
Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)
The mere fact that the reference patent or application publication which discloses but does not claim certain subject matter and the application under examination which claims subject matter are owned by the same assignee does not avoid the necessity of filing an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.131(a), in the absence of a showing under 37 CFR 1.132 that the patentee derived (in the context of pre-AIA law) the subject matter relied on from the inventor (MPEP § 716.10). The common assignee does not obtain any rights in this regard by virtue of common ownership which they would not have in the absence of common ownership. In re Frilette, 412 F.2d 269, 162 USPQ 163 (CCPA 1969); Pierce v. Watson, 275 F.2d 890, 124 USPQ 356 (D.C. Cir. 1960); In re Beck, 155 F.2d 398, 69 USPQ 520 (CCPA 1946). Where, however, a rejection is applied under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(f) / 103 or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g) / 103, or, in an application filed on or after November 29, 1999, under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) / 103 using the reference, a showing that the invention was commonly owned, or subject to an obligation of assignment to the same person, at the time the later invention was made, would preclude such a rejection or be sufficient to overcome such a rejection. See MPEP §§ 2146.01 – MPEP § 2146.02. For applications subject to current 35 U.S.C. 102, see MPEP § 2154.02(c).
35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art
The mere fact that the reference patent or application publication which discloses but does not claim certain subject matter and the application under examination which claims subject matter are owned by the same assignee does not avoid the necessity of filing an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.131(a), in the absence of a showing under 37 CFR 1.132 that the patentee derived (in the context of pre-AIA law) the subject matter relied on from the inventor (MPEP § 716.10). The common assignee does not obtain any rights in this regard by virtue of common ownership which they would not have in the absence of common ownership. In re Frilette, 412 F.2d 269, 162 USPQ 163 (CCPA 1969); Pierce v. Watson, 275 F.2d 890, 124 USPQ 356 (D.C. Cir. 1960); In re Beck, 155 F.2d 398, 69 USPQ 520 (CCPA 1946). Where, however, a rejection is applied under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(f) / 103 or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g) / 103, or, in an application filed on or after November 29, 1999, under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) / 103 using the reference, a showing that the invention was commonly owned, or subject to an obligation of assignment to the same person, at the time the later invention was made, would preclude such a rejection or be sufficient to overcome such a rejection. See MPEP §§ 2146.01 – MPEP § 2146.02. For applications subject to current 35 U.S.C. 102, see MPEP § 2154.02(c).
Citations
| Primary topic | Citation |
|---|---|
| AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138) | 35 U.S.C. § 100 |
| 35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C) Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136) | 35 U.S.C. § 102 |
| 35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C) Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136) | 35 U.S.C. § 102(e) |
| 35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C) Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136) | 35 U.S.C. § 102(f) |
| 35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C) Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136) Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138) | 35 U.S.C. § 102(g) |
| AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138) | 37 CFR § 1.130 |
| 35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C) Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136) | 37 CFR § 1.131(a) |
| AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138) | 37 CFR § 1.131(c) |
| 35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C) Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136) | 37 CFR § 1.132 |
| 35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C) Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136) | MPEP § 2146.01 |
| 35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C) Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136) | MPEP § 2146.02 |
| 35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C) Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136) | MPEP § 2154.02(c) |
| AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138) | MPEP § 2159 |
| 35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C) Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136) | MPEP § 716.10 |
| AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138) | MPEP § 717 |
| AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138) | MPEP § 718 |
| 35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C) Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136) | In re Beck, 155 F.2d 398, 69 USPQ 520 (CCPA 1946) |
| 35 U.S.C. 102 – Novelty / Prior Art Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05) Common Ownership Exception – 102(b)(2)(C) Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136) | In re Frilette, 412 F.2d 269, 162 USPQ 163 (CCPA 1969) |
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.
Official MPEP § 715.01(b) — Reference and Application Have Common Assignee
Source: USPTO715.01(b) Reference and Application Have Common Assignee [R-01.2024]
[Editor Note: This MPEP section is not applicable to applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA unless being relied upon to overcome a rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g). See 35 U.S.C. 100 (note) and MPEP § 2159. For a discussion of 37 CFR 1.130, affidavits or declarations of attribution or prior public disclosure in applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA, see MPEP § 717. For a discussion of affidavits or declarations under 37 CFR 1.131(c), see MPEP § 718.]
The mere fact that the reference patent or application publication which discloses but does not claim certain subject matter and the application under examination which claims subject matter are owned by the same assignee does not avoid the necessity of filing an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.131(a), in the absence of a showing under 37 CFR 1.132 that the patentee derived (in the context of pre-AIA law) the subject matter relied on from the inventor (MPEP § 716.10). The common assignee does not obtain any rights in this regard by virtue of common ownership which they would not have in the absence of common ownership. In re Frilette, 412 F.2d 269, 162 USPQ 163 (CCPA 1969); Pierce v. Watson, 275 F.2d 890, 124 USPQ 356 (D.C. Cir. 1960); In re Beck, 155 F.2d 398, 69 USPQ 520 (CCPA 1946). Where, however, a rejection is applied under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(f)/103 or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(g)/103, or, in an application filed on or after November 29, 1999, under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e)/103 using the reference, a showing that the invention was commonly owned, or subject to an obligation of assignment to the same person, at the time the later invention was made, would preclude such a rejection or be sufficient to overcome such a rejection. See MPEP §§ 2146.01 – MPEP § 2146.02. For applications subject to current 35 U.S.C. 102, see MPEP § 2154.02(c).