MPEP § 818.01(a) — Reply Must be Complete (Annotated Rules)

§818.01(a) Reply Must be Complete

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 818.01(a), 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.

Reply Must be Complete

This section addresses Reply Must be Complete. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.143, 37 CFR 1.111(b), and 37 CFR 1.111. Contains: 3 requirements.

Key Rules

Topic

Grounds for Reissue

2 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-818-01-a-c45f873d91799057b03fa251]
Traverse Requirement Must Be Specific
Note:
The applicant must provide specific reasons for challenging a restriction requirement, rather than making vague claims.

As indicated in the first sentence of 37 CFR 1.143, the traverse to a requirement for restriction must be complete as required by 37 CFR 1.111(b). Under this rule, the applicant is required to specifically point out the reason(s) on which he or she bases his or her conclusion(s) that a requirement to restrict is in error. A mere broad allegation that the requirement is in error does not comply with the requirement of 37 CFR 1.111. Thus the required provisional election (see MPEP § 818.01(b)) becomes an election without traverse if accompanied by an incomplete traversal of the requirement for restriction.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.143Grounds for ReissueReissue Patent PracticeRestriction and Election Practice (MPEP Chapter 800)
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-818-01-a-24e97f55798115fbd3a453da]
Incomplete Traversal Results in Election Without Traverse
Note:
If the traversal of a requirement for restriction is incomplete, it results in an election without traverse, as required by 37 CFR 1.111.

As indicated in the first sentence of 37 CFR 1.143, the traverse to a requirement for restriction must be complete as required by 37 CFR 1.111(b). Under this rule, the applicant is required to specifically point out the reason(s) on which he or she bases his or her conclusion(s) that a requirement to restrict is in error. A mere broad allegation that the requirement is in error does not comply with the requirement of 37 CFR 1.111. Thus the required provisional election (see MPEP § 818.01(b)) becomes an election without traverse if accompanied by an incomplete traversal of the requirement for restriction.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.143Grounds for ReissueReissue Patent PracticeRestriction and Election Practice (MPEP Chapter 800)
Topic

Restriction and Election Practice (MPEP Chapter 800)

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-818-01-a-4c2c37d5713f01e6464fdbe0]
Complete Traversal Required for Restriction Election
Note:
The applicant must provide a complete traverse to the restriction requirement, detailing specific reasons why it is in error.

As indicated in the first sentence of 37 CFR 1.143, the traverse to a requirement for restriction must be complete as required by 37 CFR 1.111(b). Under this rule, the applicant is required to specifically point out the reason(s) on which he or she bases his or her conclusion(s) that a requirement to restrict is in error. A mere broad allegation that the requirement is in error does not comply with the requirement of 37 CFR 1.111. Thus the required provisional election (see MPEP § 818.01(b)) becomes an election without traverse if accompanied by an incomplete traversal of the requirement for restriction.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.143Restriction and Election Practice (MPEP Chapter 800)Grounds for ReissueReissue Patent Practice

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Grounds for Reissue
Restriction and Election Practice (MPEP Chapter 800)
37 CFR § 1.111
Grounds for Reissue
Restriction and Election Practice (MPEP Chapter 800)
37 CFR § 1.111(b)
Grounds for Reissue
Restriction and Election Practice (MPEP Chapter 800)
37 CFR § 1.143
Grounds for Reissue
Restriction and Election Practice (MPEP Chapter 800)
MPEP § 818.01(b)

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