What is the significance of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) in patent law?

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.

Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) is a crucial provision in patent law that allows certain international application publications, U.S. patent application publications, and U.S. patents to be used as prior art. The MPEP states:

“Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) allows the use of certain international application publications and U.S. patent application publications, and certain U.S. patents as prior art under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e) as of their respective U.S. filing dates, including certain international filing dates.”

This provision is particularly important when the publication or issue date of a reference is too recent to be applied under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b).

Topics: MPEP 2100 - Patentability MPEP 2136 - Pre - Aia 35 U.S.C. 102(E) Patent Law Patent Procedure
Tags: Aia Practice