What is a provisional rejection under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) using provisional prior art under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e)?

Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based)BlueIron Update: 2024-09-30

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.

A provisional rejection under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) using provisional prior art under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) is a specific type of rejection made in certain patent examination situations. The MPEP explains:

Where two applications of different inventive entities are copending, not published under 35 U.S.C. 122(b), and the filing dates differ, a provisional rejection under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) based on provisional prior art under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) should be made in the later filed application unless the application has been disqualified under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(c).

This type of rejection is used to alert applicants to potential issues and give them an opportunity to address them before a non-provisional rejection is made.

Topics: MPEP 2100 - Patentability MPEP 2146.03 - Examination Procedure With Respect To Pre - Aia 35 U.S.C. 103(C) Patent Law Patent Procedure
Tags: Aia Practice, Snq Criteria