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 continuation application and a continuation-in-part (CIP) application are both types of patent applications that claim priority to an earlier filed application, but they differ in their content:
- Continuation application: Contains the same disclosure as the prior application without adding any new matter. As stated in MPEP 201.07: “A continuation application is an application for the invention(s) disclosed in a prior-filed copending nonprovisional application, international application designating the United States, or international design application designating the United States.”
- Continuation-in-part (CIP) application: Repeats a substantial portion of the prior application but also adds new matter not disclosed in the prior application.
The key difference is that a continuation application does not introduce new subject matter, while a CIP application does.
For more information on continuation application, visit: continuation application.
For more information on continuation-in-part application, visit: continuation-in-part application.
For more information on new matter, visit: new matter.
For more information on patent application types, visit: patent application types.