How are claims numbered in a single claim patent application?
Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based)BlueIron Update: 2024-09-09
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.
In the case of a patent application with only one claim, the numbering convention is different. According to MPEP 608.01(j):
“In a single claim case, the claim is not numbered.”
This means that if your patent application contains only one claim, you should not assign a number to that claim. This practice simplifies the presentation of the claim and avoids unnecessary numbering in cases where there’s only one claim to consider.
Topics:
Patent Law
Patent Procedure