Can you provide examples of analogous arts in patent examination?

Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based)BlueIron Update: 2024-09-27

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

Yes, the MPEP provides specific examples to illustrate the concept of analogous arts in patent examination:

For example, for search purposes, a tea mixer and a concrete mixer may both be regarded as relating to the mixing art, this being the necessary function of each. Similarly a brick-cutting machine and a biscuit cutting machine may be considered as having the same necessary function. (MPEP 904.01(c))

These examples demonstrate that inventions from seemingly unrelated fields can be considered analogous if they share a common essential function, such as mixing or cutting.

Tags: analogous arts examples, cutting machines, mixing art, mpep 904.01(c), patent examination