MPEP § 715.01(d) — Activities Applied Against the Claims (Annotated Rules)

§715.01(d) Activities Applied Against the Claims

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 715.01(d), 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.

Activities Applied Against the Claims

This section addresses Activities Applied Against the Claims. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 102, 37 CFR 1.131(a), and 37 CFR 1.132. Contains: 2 permissions.

Key Rules

Topic

Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-715-01-d-e0cbeb735ef312bdb57eb19e]
Affidavits Under 37 CFR 1.131(c) Must Be Discussed
Note:
The rule requires that affidavits or declarations under 37 CFR 1.131(c) be discussed in MPEP § 718.

[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.]

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.130Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138)AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-715-01-d-64bb6ae033572f2498c397f4]
Affidavit Showing Inventor Performed Activity
Note:
The applicant can overcome a rejection based on an activity showing prior use or knowledge of the invention by filing an affidavit under 37 CFR 1.132 demonstrating that the inventor performed the activity.

Unless it is a statutory bar, a rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 or 103 based on an activity showing that the claimed invention was used or known prior to the filing date of the application may be overcome by an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.131(a) establishing a date of invention prior to the date of the activity. Alternatively, the applicant may overcome the rejection by filing a specific affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.132 showing that the activity was performed by the inventor or at least one joint inventor.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.131(a)Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)Assignee as Applicant SignatureApplicant and Assignee Filing Under AIA
Topic

Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138)

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-715-01-d-cb7cab040a4d68dc6dec8dd1]
Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102
Note:
This rule outlines the requirements for prior art under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102, which is not applicable to applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.

[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.]

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.130Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138)AIA vs Pre-AIA PracticeAntedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Topic

AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-715-01-d-748391f69b8db6f6289df13f]
Affidavits or Declarations for AIA First Inventor to File Provision
Note:
Discusses the requirement for affidavits or declarations of attribution or prior public disclosure in applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the America Invents Act (AIA).

[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.]

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.130AIA vs Pre-AIA PracticeAntedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)Prior Art Under Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2131-2138)
Topic

Determining Whether Application Is AIA or Pre-AIA

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-715-01-d-211612b4e1378a8b977238ee]
Affidavit Requirement to Overcome Pre-AIA Rejection Based on Prior Activity
Note:
An affidavit under 37 CFR 1.131(a) or 1.132 must be filed to establish a date of invention prior to the activity that shows the claimed invention was used or known before the filing date.

Unless it is a statutory bar, a rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 or 103 based on an activity showing that the claimed invention was used or known prior to the filing date of the application may be overcome by an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.131(a) establishing a date of invention prior to the date of the activity. Alternatively, the applicant may overcome the rejection by filing a specific affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.132 showing that the activity was performed by the inventor or at least one joint inventor.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.131(a)Determining Whether Application Is AIA or Pre-AIAAntedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)Pre-AIA 102(b) – Statutory Bar (MPEP 2133)

Citations

Primary topicCitation
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
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Determining Whether Application Is AIA or Pre-AIA
35 U.S.C. § 102
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. § 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
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Determining Whether Application Is AIA or Pre-AIA
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)
Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)
Determining Whether Application Is AIA or Pre-AIA
37 CFR § 1.132
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
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

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