What type of information can an examiner require under 37 CFR 1.105?
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.
Under 37 CFR 1.105, an examiner can require information that is reasonably necessary to examine or treat a matter in an application. This includes:
- Information relevant to examination either procedurally or substantively
- Information beyond what is defined as material to patentability under 37 CFR 1.56
- Information that may not be directly useful to support a rejection or conclusively decide patentability
The MPEP cites the Star Fruits S.N.C. v. United States case, which states: “‘such information as may be reasonably necessary to properly examine or treat the matter,’ 37 C.F.R. 1.105(a)(1), contemplates information relevant to examination either procedurally or substantively. It includes a zone of information beyond that defined by section 1.56 as material to patentability, and beyond that which is directly useful to support a rejection or conclusively decide the issue of patentability.”