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.
In patent law, species refer to specific embodiments or variations of an invention within a broader genus or category. The Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) 806.04(b) states that “Species may be either independent or related under the particular disclosure.” This means that species can be distinct inventions or related inventions depending on how they are described in the patent application.