What types of activities can be used against claims in patent applications?
Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based)BlueIron Update: 2024-09-10
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.
According to MPEP 715.01(d), various types of activities can be used against claims in patent applications. These include:
- Public use
- Sales
- Publications
- Patents
- Abandoned applications
- Statutory invention registrations (SIRs)
The MPEP states: ‘The rejection may be based on activities by the inventor(s) or a different inventive entity.’ This means that both the applicant’s own activities and those of others can potentially be used as prior art against the claims.