What is the purpose of MPEP 715.01(a)?

MPEP 715.01(a) provides guidance on how to handle situations where a reference (patent or published application) names a different inventive entity with at least one common inventor compared to the application under examination. It specifically addresses how to overcome rejections based on such references using affidavits or declarations.

The section states: When subject matter disclosed in a patent or patent application publication (reference) naming an inventive entity including inventor S and another joint inventor is claimed in a later application naming inventor S without the joint inventor, the reference may be properly applied under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a), (e), or (f) until overcome by an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.131(a) showing prior invention (see MPEP § 715) or by an affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.132.

To learn more:

• prior art
• inventorship
• affidavits
• declarations
• 37 CFR 1.131
• 37 CFR 1.132

To learn more:

• 37 CFR 1.131
• 37 CFR 1.132