What are the requirements for an inventor’s oath or declaration in a national stage application?
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.
The requirements for an inventor’s oath or declaration in a national stage application depend on the international filing date:
- For applications with an international filing date on or after September 16, 2012: The inventor’s oath or declaration must comply with 37 CFR 1.497.
- For applications with an international filing date before September 16, 2012: The oath or declaration must comply with pre-AIA 37 CFR 1.497(a) and (b).
In both cases, if a compliant declaration was not previously submitted in the international phase under PCT Rule 4.17(iv), it must be filed during the national stage.