MPEP § 806.05(g) — Apparatus and Product Made (Annotated Rules)

§806.05(g) Apparatus and Product Made

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 806.05(g), 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.

Apparatus and Product Made

This section addresses Apparatus and Product Made. Contains: 1 requirement and 3 permissions.

Key Rules

Topic

35 U.S.C. 103 – Obviousness

4 rules
MPEP GuidancePermittedAlways
[mpep-806-05-g-c14cb8976d9f4c0544aa08a1]
Distinct Inventions Requirement for Apparatus and Product Made
Note:
An apparatus and the product it makes can be considered distinct inventions if either the apparatus is not obvious for making the product or the product can be made by a different apparatus.

An apparatus and a product made by the apparatus can be shown to be distinct inventions if either or both of the following can be shown: (A) that the apparatus as claimed is not an obvious apparatus for making the product and the apparatus as claimed can be used to make another materially different product; or (B) that the product as claimed can be made by another materially different apparatus.

MPEP GuidancePermittedAlways
[mpep-806-05-g-5aac214d8941e7d66815dac0]
Reasons for Non-Obvious Apparatus Must Be Given
Note:
Examiner must provide one or more reasons why the claimed apparatus is not obvious for making the product and can be used to make a different product.
2. In bracket 3, use one or more of the following reasons:
  • –the apparatus as claimed is not an obvious apparatus for making the product and the apparatus as claimed can be used to make a different product such as……–,
  • –the product can be made by a materially different apparatus such as……–.
MPEP GuidancePermittedAlways
[mpep-806-05-g-c369d090a66e6ad752a6684f]
Apparatus Can Make Different Product
Note:
The apparatus as claimed is not obvious for making the product and can be used to make a different product.

2. In bracket 3, use one or more of the following reasons –the apparatus as claimed is not an obvious apparatus for making the product and the apparatus as claimed can be used to make a different product such as……–,

MPEP GuidanceRequiredAlways
[mpep-806-05-g-1739a73f3e000433dfe37c44]
Examiner Must Show Non-Obviousness for Different Product or Method
Note:
The examiner must demonstrate that the claimed apparatus is not an obvious method for making the claimed product, and can be used to make a different product, or that the claimed product can be made by a different method.

The examiner must show by way of example either (A) that the apparatus as claimed is not an obvious apparatus for making the product and the apparatus as claimed can be used to make another materially different product or (B) that the product as claimed can be made by another materially different apparatus.

Topic

Restriction Requirement (MPEP 802-803)

1 rules
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-806-05-g-ac120b4ba62f86308c19a103]
Conclusion of Restriction Requirement with Form Paragraph 8.21
Note:
The examiner must conclude the restriction requirement using form paragraph 8.21.

3. Conclude restriction requirement with form paragraph 8.21.

MPEP § 806.05(g)Restriction Requirement (MPEP 802-803)Restriction and Election Practice (MPEP Chapter 800)

Examiner Form Paragraphs

Examiner form paragraphs are standard language that you might see in an Office Action or communication from the USPTO. Examiners have latitude to change the form paragraphs, but you will often see this exact language.

¶ 8.19 ¶ 8.19 Apparatus and Product Made

Inventions [1] and [2] are related as apparatus and product made. The inventions in this relationship are distinct if either or both of the following can be shown: (1) that the apparatus as claimed is not an obvious apparatus for making the product and the apparatus can be used for making a materially different product or (2) that the product as claimed can be made by another materially different apparatus ( MPEP § 806.05(g) ). In this case [3] .

Citations

Primary topicCitation
MPEP § 806.05(g)
Form Paragraph § 8.19
Restriction Requirement (MPEP 802-803)Form Paragraph § 8.21

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