MPEP § 715.07(b) — Interference Testimony Sometimes Used (Annotated Rules)

§715.07(b) Interference Testimony Sometimes Used

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 715.07(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.

Interference Testimony Sometimes Used

This section addresses Interference Testimony Sometimes Used. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.131(a). Contains: 1 guidance statement and 1 permission.

Key Rules

Topic

Testimony Request Procedures

2 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-715-07-b-1a5528290b5baee8f82b62c5]
Testimony May Antedate Reference
Note:
Testimony in an interference can sometimes be used to antedate a reference instead of a 37 CFR 1.131(a) affidavit or declaration.

In place of an affidavit or declaration the testimony in an interference may be sometimes used to antedate a reference in lieu of a 37 CFR 1.131(a) affidavit or declaration.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.131(a)Testimony Request ProceduresUSPTO Employee Testimony
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-715-07-b-27d40226a212c379b5f0b6d0]
Part of Testimony for Priority Over Reference Must Be Pointed Out
Note:
The part of the testimony that supports priority over a reference must be clearly identified in the testimony.

The part of the testimony to form the basis of priority over the reference should be pointed out. Ex parte Bowyer, 1939 C.D. 5, 42 USPQ 526 (Comm’r Pat. 1939).

Jump to MPEP SourceTestimony Request ProceduresUSPTO Employee Testimony
Topic

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

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-715-07-b-cb371c8fa17ee0a70b554c7c]
Requirement for Interference Testimony
Note:
This rule outlines the requirement for interference testimony in applications not 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 PracticeTestimony Request Procedures
Topic

AIA vs Pre-AIA Practice

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-715-07-b-003c86023db8f6c118da7b21]
Affidavits for AIA Prior Public Disclosures Required
Note:
For applications subject to the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA, affidavits or declarations must be provided to address prior public disclosures.

[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 PracticeTestimony Request ProceduresUSPTO Employee Testimony
Topic

Antedating Reference – Pre-AIA (MPEP 2136.05)

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-715-07-b-c0e3dc4767bca546400c0aaf]
Affidavits Under 37 CFR 1.131(c) Requirement
Note:
The rule requires the submission of affidavits or declarations under 37 CFR 1.131(c) to support certain claims in patent applications.

[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)Testimony Request ProceduresUSPTO Employee Testimony

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
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
Testimony Request Procedures37 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)
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