USPTO - Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) Published February 2023

The USPTO revised the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) Ninth Edition, Revision 07.2022 in February 2023. It is not legal authority, e.g., like the Federal Circuit decisions, but nonetheless a useful searchable online resource for many details of US patent prosecution.

 Copyright © 2023 Robert Moll. All rights reserved.

USPTO - Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) Revised

Today, the USPTO announced:

"The ninth edition of the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure was revised to include updated information on patent examination policy and procedure related to a number of issues, including subject matter eligibility and examination of computer-implemented functional claim limitations.

The June 2020 revision updates sections of chapters 100-1000, 1200-1500, and 1700-2800. The updated sections have a revision indicator of [R-10.2019], meaning these sections have been updated to reflect USPTO patent practice and relevant case law as of October 31, 2019. In addition, the June 2020 revision updates Chapter FPC - Form Paragraphs Consolidated, the Foreword, the Introduction, the Subject Matter Index, and all Appendices, except Appendix I and Appendix P."

See Details at the MPEP page of the USPTO website.

Copyright © 2020 Robert Moll. All rights reserved.

USPTO - Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) 9th Edition Released on March 28, 2014

The USPTO published the latest version of the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP), 9th Edition on March 28, 2014.

The MPEP is based on the USPTO rules, 37 Code of Federal Regulations, federal court cases, and federal patent law, Title 35 of the United States Code.

The MPEP informs patent attorneys, agents, and examiners how to interpret rules and laws in detailed situations that arise during prosecution of a patent application in the PTO. For example, Chapter 2100 of the MPEP tells how to persuade an examiner as to the basis for granting a patent for a given US patent application. I have found it helpful in my practice as a patent attorney.

Copyright © 2014 Robert Moll. All rights reserved.

Manual of Patent Examining Procedure - August 2012

The USPTO has published the latest revision of the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP), Eighth Edition, Revision 9 (August 2012).

The MPEP is based on 37 Code of Federal Regulations, the PTO rules, and Title 35 of the United States Code, the federal patent law.

The MPEP gives detailed guidance to patent attorneys, agents and examiners to help interpret the rules and laws in situations that may arise during the prosecution of a patent application in the PTO. For example, Chapter 2100 of the MPEP gives detailed guidance how to persuade an examiner as to the basis for granting a patent for a given US patent application. I have found it very helpful at times in my practice as a patent attorney.

The USPTO has promised to update the MPEO online frequently and in a matter of hours rather than weeks and months, which I expect will reduce the utility of the paper version.

Here is the latest revision of the MPEP

Copyright © 2012 Robert Moll. All rights reserved.