MPEP § 901.01 — Canceled Matter in U.S. Patent Files (Annotated Rules)

§901.01 Canceled Matter in U.S. Patent Files

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2026-01-17

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 901.01, 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.

Canceled Matter in U.S. Patent Files

This section addresses Canceled Matter in U.S. Patent Files. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2), 35 U.S.C. 102(e), and 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1). Contains: 1 permission and 2 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

AIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)

3 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-901-01-62d53ce701bc70b41fbfb374]
Canceled Application Material Not Reference Under AIA 102(a)(2)
Note:
The filing date does not consider canceled material in the application file as a proper reference under AIA 102(a)(2).

Canceled matter in the application file of a U.S. patent or U.S. application publication is not a proper reference as of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e). See Ex parte Stalego, 154 USPQ 52, 53 (Bd. App. 1966). However, matter canceled from the application file wrapper of a U.S. patent or U.S. application publication may be used as prior art as of the patent or publication date, respectively, in that it then constitutes prior public knowledge or prior public availability under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a). See, e.g., In re Lund, 376 F.2d 982, 153 USPQ 625 (CCPA 1967). See also MPEP § 2127 and § 2136.02.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 2136.02AIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)Prior Art Under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2150-2159)
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-901-01-add80572a36844156ba7c2b4]
Canceled Application Material as Prior Art
Note:
Matter canceled from a U.S. patent or application publication can be used as prior art on its respective date of issuance or publication.

Canceled matter in the application file of a U.S. patent or U.S. application publication is not a proper reference as of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e). See Ex parte Stalego, 154 USPQ 52, 53 (Bd. App. 1966). However, matter canceled from the application file wrapper of a U.S. patent or U.S. application publication may be used as prior art as of the patent or publication date, respectively, in that it then constitutes prior public knowledge or prior public availability under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a). See, e.g., In re Lund, 376 F.2d 982, 153 USPQ 625 (CCPA 1967). See also MPEP § 2127 and § 2136.02.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 2136.02AIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)Prior Art Under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2150-2159)
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-901-01-8a8f5eb1e982376dae3c2301]
Canceled Application Matter Not Prior Art Under 102(a)(2)
Note:
Matter canceled from a U.S. patent application file is not considered prior art under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2), but may be used as prior art if canceled from the application wrapper.

Canceled matter in the application file of a U.S. patent or U.S. application publication is not a proper reference as of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e). See Ex parte Stalego, 154 USPQ 52, 53 (Bd. App. 1966). However, matter canceled from the application file wrapper of a U.S. patent or U.S. application publication may be used as prior art as of the patent or publication date, respectively, in that it then constitutes prior public knowledge or prior public availability under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a). See, e.g., In re Lund, 376 F.2d 982, 153 USPQ 625 (CCPA 1967). See also MPEP § 2127 and § 2136.02.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 2136.02AIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)Pre-AIA 102(e) – Earlier US Applications (MPEP 2136)Prior Art Under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 (MPEP 2150-2159)

Citations

Primary topicCitation
AIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)35 U.S.C. § 102(a)
AIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(1)
AIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(2)
AIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)35 U.S.C. § 102(e)
AIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)37 CFR § 2136.02
AIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)MPEP § 2127
AIA 102(a)(2) – Earlier Filed Applications (MPEP 2154)In re Lund, 376 F.2d 982, 153 USPQ 625 (CCPA 1967)

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: 2026-01-17