What is the disclosure requirement for a patent application?

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 disclosure requirement for a patent application is outlined in MPEP 608. It states that “To obtain a valid patent, a patent application as filed must contain a full and clear disclosure of the invention in the manner prescribed by 35 U.S.C. 112(a).”

This requirement ensures that the public receives valuable information in exchange for the exclusive rights granted to the inventor. The disclosure must be sufficient to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention without undue experimentation.