MPEP § 803.05 — Reissue Application Practice (Annotated Rules)

§803.05 Reissue Application Practice

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 803.05, 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.

Reissue Application Practice

This section addresses Reissue Application Practice. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 251, 37 CFR 1.176(b), and 37 CFR 1.177. Contains: 2 requirements, 1 prohibition, 3 permissions, and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

Reissue Claim Requirements

3 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-803-05-ef8f4480ea26341d5f122336]
Restriction Between Original and New Claims in Reissue
Note:
The rule requires that restriction can only be applied between the original patent claims and new claims added in a reissue application, not within the original claims.

Restriction practice relating to reissue applications is governed by 37 CFR 1.176(b) which specifies that restriction may only be required between the invention(s) of the original patent claims and previously unclaimed invention(s) set forth in new claims added in the reissue application. The claims of the original patent must not be restricted as being directed to two or more independent and distinct inventions and must be examined together. Where restriction is required by the examiner, the invention(s) set forth by the original patent claims and any newly added claims that are directed to the same invention(s) will be held as constructively elected. Any new claim that is directed to an invention that is independent and distinct from the invention(s) of the original patent claims will be withdrawn from consideration. See MPEP § 1450 for a detailed explanation of this practice. Note that applicant may initiate a division of the claims by filing more than one reissue application in accordance with 37 CFR 1.177. See MPEP § 1451 for a detailed explanation of this practice.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.176(b)Reissue Claim RequirementsReissue Patent PracticeStatutory Authority for Examination
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-803-05-983801e2c2356fa50a3b2e44]
Claims Must Be Examined Together
Note:
The claims of the original patent must be examined as a single unit and cannot be split into multiple inventions.

Restriction practice relating to reissue applications is governed by 37 CFR 1.176(b) which specifies that restriction may only be required between the invention(s) of the original patent claims and previously unclaimed invention(s) set forth in new claims added in the reissue application. The claims of the original patent must not be restricted as being directed to two or more independent and distinct inventions and must be examined together. Where restriction is required by the examiner, the invention(s) set forth by the original patent claims and any newly added claims that are directed to the same invention(s) will be held as constructively elected. Any new claim that is directed to an invention that is independent and distinct from the invention(s) of the original patent claims will be withdrawn from consideration. See MPEP § 1450 for a detailed explanation of this practice. Note that applicant may initiate a division of the claims by filing more than one reissue application in accordance with 37 CFR 1.177. See MPEP § 1451 for a detailed explanation of this practice.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.176(b)Reissue Claim RequirementsReissue Patent PracticeStatutory Authority for Examination
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-803-05-bf9a2304fd738b35b69e3aff]
New Claims Directed to Independent Invention Must Be Withdrawn
Note:
Any new claim that is directed to an invention independent and distinct from the original patent claims will be withdrawn from consideration in a reissue application.

Restriction practice relating to reissue applications is governed by 37 CFR 1.176(b) which specifies that restriction may only be required between the invention(s) of the original patent claims and previously unclaimed invention(s) set forth in new claims added in the reissue application. The claims of the original patent must not be restricted as being directed to two or more independent and distinct inventions and must be examined together. Where restriction is required by the examiner, the invention(s) set forth by the original patent claims and any newly added claims that are directed to the same invention(s) will be held as constructively elected. Any new claim that is directed to an invention that is independent and distinct from the invention(s) of the original patent claims will be withdrawn from consideration. See MPEP § 1450 for a detailed explanation of this practice. Note that applicant may initiate a division of the claims by filing more than one reissue application in accordance with 37 CFR 1.177. See MPEP § 1451 for a detailed explanation of this practice.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.176(b)Reissue Claim RequirementsReissue Patent PracticeStatutory Authority for Examination
Topic

Election of Species

2 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-803-05-161f9f87cec39bcfaf25579a]
Elected Invention Patenting Without Divisional Application
Note:
If an applicant permits the elected invention to issue as a patent without filing a divisional application on non-elected inventions or distinct subject matter, those cannot be recovered through reissue.

Where a restriction (including an election of species) requirement was made in an application and applicant permitted the elected invention to issue as a patent without filing a divisional application on the non-elected invention(s) or on non-claimed subject matter distinct from the elected invention, the non-elected invention(s) and non-claimed, distinct subject matter cannot be recovered by filing a reissue application. Once an applicant acquiesces to a restriction (including an election of species) requirement, any invention distinct from that elected and prosecuted to allowance—whether originally claimed or not—can only be pursued in a timely-filed divisional application. A reissue applicant’s failure to timely file a divisional application is not considered to be error causing a patent granted on the elected claims to be partially inoperative by reason of claiming less than the applicant had a right to claim. Accordingly, this is not correctable by reissue of the original patent under 35 U.S.C. 251. In re Watkinson, 900 F.2d 230, 14 USPQ2d 1407 (Fed. Cir. 1990); In re Weiler, 790 F.2d 1576, 229 USPQ 673 (Fed. Cir. 1986). See MPEP § 1412.01.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.176Election of SpeciesRestriction and ElectionStatutory Authority for Examination
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-803-05-16da0186b663d4e4919fe7a0]
Restriction Acquiescence Requires Timely Divisional Application
Note:
Once an applicant agrees to a restriction requirement, any distinct invention must be pursued in a timely-filed divisional application.

Where a restriction (including an election of species) requirement was made in an application and applicant permitted the elected invention to issue as a patent without filing a divisional application on the non-elected invention(s) or on non-claimed subject matter distinct from the elected invention, the non-elected invention(s) and non-claimed, distinct subject matter cannot be recovered by filing a reissue application. Once an applicant acquiesces to a restriction (including an election of species) requirement, any invention distinct from that elected and prosecuted to allowance—whether originally claimed or not—can only be pursued in a timely-filed divisional application. A reissue applicant’s failure to timely file a divisional application is not considered to be error causing a patent granted on the elected claims to be partially inoperative by reason of claiming less than the applicant had a right to claim. Accordingly, this is not correctable by reissue of the original patent under 35 U.S.C. 251. In re Watkinson, 900 F.2d 230, 14 USPQ2d 1407 (Fed. Cir. 1990); In re Weiler, 790 F.2d 1576, 229 USPQ 673 (Fed. Cir. 1986). See MPEP § 1412.01.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.176Election of SpeciesRestriction and ElectionStatutory Authority for Examination
Topic

Same Invention Double Patenting

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-803-05-1744e22a84735f7662be3a78]
Same Invention Claims Must Be Examined Together
Note:
Where restriction is required by the examiner, claims directed to the same invention as the original patent must be examined together.

Restriction practice relating to reissue applications is governed by 37 CFR 1.176(b) which specifies that restriction may only be required between the invention(s) of the original patent claims and previously unclaimed invention(s) set forth in new claims added in the reissue application. The claims of the original patent must not be restricted as being directed to two or more independent and distinct inventions and must be examined together. Where restriction is required by the examiner, the invention(s) set forth by the original patent claims and any newly added claims that are directed to the same invention(s) will be held as constructively elected. Any new claim that is directed to an invention that is independent and distinct from the invention(s) of the original patent claims will be withdrawn from consideration. See MPEP § 1450 for a detailed explanation of this practice. Note that applicant may initiate a division of the claims by filing more than one reissue application in accordance with 37 CFR 1.177. See MPEP § 1451 for a detailed explanation of this practice.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.176(b)Same Invention Double PatentingOriginal Patent Requirement (Same Invention)Double Patenting
Topic

Reissue Patent Practice

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-803-05-be7593bbf54d991c092abc32]
Multiple Reissue Applications Allowed for Claim Division
Note:
Applicants can file multiple reissue applications to divide claims as permitted by 37 CFR 1.177.

Restriction practice relating to reissue applications is governed by 37 CFR 1.176(b) which specifies that restriction may only be required between the invention(s) of the original patent claims and previously unclaimed invention(s) set forth in new claims added in the reissue application. The claims of the original patent must not be restricted as being directed to two or more independent and distinct inventions and must be examined together. Where restriction is required by the examiner, the invention(s) set forth by the original patent claims and any newly added claims that are directed to the same invention(s) will be held as constructively elected. Any new claim that is directed to an invention that is independent and distinct from the invention(s) of the original patent claims will be withdrawn from consideration. See MPEP § 1450 for a detailed explanation of this practice. Note that applicant may initiate a division of the claims by filing more than one reissue application in accordance with 37 CFR 1.177. See MPEP § 1451 for a detailed explanation of this practice.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.176(b)Reissue Patent PracticeStatutory Authority for ExaminationExamination Procedures
Topic

Restriction and Election

1 rules
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-803-05-770e58ea7398ef5ce9fece01]
Non-Elected Inventions Unrecoverable by Reissue
Note:
A patent applicant cannot recover non-elected inventions or distinct subject matter not claimed through a reissue application after permitting the elected invention to issue.

Where a restriction (including an election of species) requirement was made in an application and applicant permitted the elected invention to issue as a patent without filing a divisional application on the non-elected invention(s) or on non-claimed subject matter distinct from the elected invention, the non-elected invention(s) and non-claimed, distinct subject matter cannot be recovered by filing a reissue application. Once an applicant acquiesces to a restriction (including an election of species) requirement, any invention distinct from that elected and prosecuted to allowance—whether originally claimed or not—can only be pursued in a timely-filed divisional application. A reissue applicant’s failure to timely file a divisional application is not considered to be error causing a patent granted on the elected claims to be partially inoperative by reason of claiming less than the applicant had a right to claim. Accordingly, this is not correctable by reissue of the original patent under 35 U.S.C. 251. In re Watkinson, 900 F.2d 230, 14 USPQ2d 1407 (Fed. Cir. 1990); In re Weiler, 790 F.2d 1576, 229 USPQ 673 (Fed. Cir. 1986). See MPEP § 1412.01.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.176Restriction and ElectionReissue Patent PracticeStatutory Authority for Examination
Topic

Original Patent Requirement (Same Invention)

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-803-05-914ed9cc2b6c6d7d69a3d6cd]
Failure to File Timely Divisional Not Correctable by Reissue
Note:
A patentee cannot correct a failure to timely file a divisional application through reissue under 35 U.S.C. 251 if the elected claims do not cover all inventions originally claimed.

Where a restriction (including an election of species) requirement was made in an application and applicant permitted the elected invention to issue as a patent without filing a divisional application on the non-elected invention(s) or on non-claimed subject matter distinct from the elected invention, the non-elected invention(s) and non-claimed, distinct subject matter cannot be recovered by filing a reissue application. Once an applicant acquiesces to a restriction (including an election of species) requirement, any invention distinct from that elected and prosecuted to allowance—whether originally claimed or not—can only be pursued in a timely-filed divisional application. A reissue applicant’s failure to timely file a divisional application is not considered to be error causing a patent granted on the elected claims to be partially inoperative by reason of claiming less than the applicant had a right to claim. Accordingly, this is not correctable by reissue of the original patent under 35 U.S.C. 251. In re Watkinson, 900 F.2d 230, 14 USPQ2d 1407 (Fed. Cir. 1990); In re Weiler, 790 F.2d 1576, 229 USPQ 673 (Fed. Cir. 1986). See MPEP § 1412.01.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.176Original Patent Requirement (Same Invention)Restriction and ElectionReissue Claim Requirements

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Election of Species
Original Patent Requirement (Same Invention)
Restriction and Election
35 U.S.C. § 251
Reissue Claim Requirements
Reissue Patent Practice
Same Invention Double Patenting
37 CFR § 1.176(b)
Reissue Claim Requirements
Reissue Patent Practice
Same Invention Double Patenting
37 CFR § 1.177
Election of Species
Original Patent Requirement (Same Invention)
Restriction and Election
MPEP § 1412.01
Reissue Claim Requirements
Reissue Patent Practice
Same Invention Double Patenting
MPEP § 1450
Reissue Claim Requirements
Reissue Patent Practice
Same Invention Double Patenting
MPEP § 1451
Election of Species
Original Patent Requirement (Same Invention)
Restriction and Election
In re Watkinson, 900 F.2d 230, 14 USPQ2d 1407 (Fed. Cir. 1990)
Election of Species
Original Patent Requirement (Same Invention)
Restriction and Election
In re Weiler, 790 F.2d 1576, 229 USPQ 673 (Fed. Cir. 1986)

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