# MPEP.net

> The MPEP (Manual of Patent Examining Procedure) is the USPTO's manual for patent examiners, and the only reference allowed on the patent bar. The current version is the Ninth Edition, Revision 01.2024, published November 2024. It has 29 chapters, from 100 (Secrecy and Foreign Filing) to 2900 (International Design Applications).This reference explains the sections people look up most, one page each, in plain English, with a link to the full text.

Publisher: Wysebridge, LLC (https://wysebridge.com/), founded 2012. This is a Wysebridge-published reference, not an independent ranking.

## Entries
- [What is the MPEP?](https://mpep.net/what-is-the-mpep/): Who writes the MPEP, who uses it, and how it relates to the patent statute and rules.
- [Current MPEP edition](https://mpep.net/current-mpep-edition/): Which MPEP revision is current and what that means for the patent bar.
- [MPEP chapters](https://mpep.net/mpep-chapters/): All 29 MPEP chapters with official titles and estimated patent bar weight.
- [MPEP 2100: Patentability](https://mpep.net/mpep-2100-patentability/): The most-tested MPEP chapter: eligibility, novelty, obviousness and written description.
- [MPEP 700: Examination of Applications](https://mpep.net/mpep-700-examination/): The procedural core of prosecution: office actions, responses, final rejections and RCEs.
- [MPEP 600: Parts, Form, and Content of Application](https://mpep.net/mpep-600-parts-of-the-application/): What a patent application must contain: specification, claims, drawings, oath and fees.
- [Using the MPEP on the patent bar](https://mpep.net/mpep-for-the-patent-bar/): How to study and search the MPEP for an open-book exam with 3.6 minutes per question.
- [MPEP appendices](https://mpep.net/mpep-appendices/): The statute, rules, PCT and Paris Convention as reprinted in the MPEP.
- [MPEP 2106: Patent Subject Matter Eligibility](https://mpep.net/mpep-2106/): MPEP 2106 explained: the Alice/Mayo eligibility test the USPTO applies under 35 U.S.C. 101, step by step.
- [MPEP 2106.04(a)(2): Abstract Idea Groupings](https://mpep.net/mpep-2106-04-a-2/): The three groupings of abstract ideas in MPEP 2106.04(a)(2): mathematical concepts, mental processes, and certain methods of organizing human activity.
- [MPEP 2106.04(d): Integration Into a Practical Application](https://mpep.net/mpep-2106-04-d/): MPEP 2106.04(d) explained: Step 2A Prong Two, and the considerations that show a judicial exception is integrated into a practical application.
- [MPEP 2111: Broadest Reasonable Interpretation (BRI)](https://mpep.net/mpep-2111/): MPEP 2111 explained: how the USPTO reads claims under the broadest reasonable interpretation, and how preambles and transitional phrases are treated.
- [MPEP 2112: Inherency](https://mpep.net/mpep-2112/): MPEP 2112 explained: when a feature is inherent in prior art, why it must be necessarily present, and how the burden shifts to the applicant.
- [MPEP 2113: Product-by-Process Claims](https://mpep.net/mpep-2113/): MPEP 2113 explained: why patentability of a product-by-process claim turns on the product itself, not the process that made it.
- [MPEP 2114: Functional Language in Apparatus Claims](https://mpep.net/mpep-2114/): MPEP 2114 explained: apparatus claims cover what a device is, not what it does, and how functional language and intended use are treated.
- [MPEP 2117: Markush Claims](https://mpep.net/mpep-2117/): MPEP 2117 explained: what a Markush group is, why it uses closed "consisting of" language, and when a Markush grouping is improper.
- [MPEP 2125: Drawings as Prior Art](https://mpep.net/mpep-2125/): MPEP 2125 explained: when drawings in a reference can anticipate a claim, and why proportions in patent drawings are not reliable.
- [MPEP 2131: Anticipation Under 35 U.S.C. 102](https://mpep.net/mpep-2131/): MPEP 2131 explained: a claim is anticipated only if a single prior art reference discloses every element, expressly or inherently.
- [MPEP 2141: Determining Obviousness Under 35 U.S.C. 103](https://mpep.net/mpep-2141/): MPEP 2141 explained: the Graham factual inquiries and how KSR shapes the USPTO's obviousness analysis.
- [MPEP 2141.01(a): Analogous Art](https://mpep.net/mpep-2141-01-a/): MPEP 2141.01(a) explained: the two tests for whether a reference is analogous art that can be used in an obviousness rejection.
- [MPEP 2142: Prima Facie Obviousness](https://mpep.net/mpep-2142/): MPEP 2142 explained: the examiner's initial burden to establish a prima facie case of obviousness, and avoiding impermissible hindsight.
- [MPEP 2143: The KSR Rationales for Obviousness](https://mpep.net/mpep-2143/): MPEP 2143 explained: the seven exemplary KSR rationales (A through G) examiners use to support a conclusion of obviousness.
- [MPEP 2143.01: Motivation to Combine or Modify](https://mpep.net/mpep-2143-01/): MPEP 2143.01 explained: motivation to combine references, and why a change that destroys the reference's intended purpose or principle of operation is not obvious.
- [MPEP 2144: Supporting an Obviousness Rejection](https://mpep.net/mpep-2144/): MPEP 2144 explained: sources of rationale for obviousness, including official notice, legal precedent, ranges, equivalents and intended purpose.
- [MPEP 2144.05: Overlapping Ranges and Routine Optimization](https://mpep.net/mpep-2144-05/): MPEP 2144.05 explained: why overlapping or close ranges are prima facie obvious, routine optimization, and how to rebut with criticality or teaching away.
- [MPEP 2145: Rebutting an Obviousness Rejection](https://mpep.net/mpep-2145/): MPEP 2145 explained: how examiners weigh applicant arguments against obviousness, including teaching away, hindsight and attacking references individually.
- [MPEP 2163: Written Description Requirement](https://mpep.net/mpep-2163/): MPEP 2163 explained: the 35 U.S.C. 112(a) written description requirement, possession of the invention, and new matter in amended claims.
- [MPEP 2164: Enablement and the Wands Factors](https://mpep.net/mpep-2164/): MPEP 2164 explained: the enablement requirement, undue experimentation, and the eight In re Wands factors.
- [MPEP 2173: Indefiniteness Under 35 U.S.C. 112(b)](https://mpep.net/mpep-2173/): MPEP 2173 explained: the 35 U.S.C. 112(b) definiteness requirement, relative terms, antecedent basis, and how the USPTO's standard differs from the courts'.
- [MPEP 2181: Means-Plus-Function Under 35 U.S.C. 112(f)](https://mpep.net/mpep-2181/): MPEP 2181 explained: the 3-prong test for 35 U.S.C. 112(f) means-plus-function limitations, nonce terms, and corresponding structure.
- [MPEP 608.01(n): Dependent and Multiple Dependent Claims](https://mpep.net/mpep-608-01-n/): MPEP 608.01(n) explained: proper dependent claims, multiple dependent claims, and the rule against one multiple dependent claim depending on another.
- [MPEP 608.01(b): The Abstract](https://mpep.net/mpep-608-01-b/): MPEP 608.01(b) explained: the abstract of the disclosure, its 150-word limit, and its format.
- [MPEP 609: Information Disclosure Statements (IDS)](https://mpep.net/mpep-609/): MPEP 609 explained: what an information disclosure statement must contain and the 37 CFR 1.97 timing rules for having it considered.
- [MPEP 211: Claiming the Benefit of an Earlier Filing Date](https://mpep.net/mpep-211/): MPEP 211 explained: claiming priority to provisional and nonprovisional applications under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) and 120, copendency, and the reference requirement.
- [MPEP 706: Rejection of Claims](https://mpep.net/mpep-706/): MPEP 706 explained: rejections versus objections, the grounds for rejecting claims, and final rejections.
- [MPEP 713: Examiner Interviews](https://mpep.net/mpep-713/): MPEP 713 explained: examiner interviews, when they are allowed, and why their substance must be made of record.
- [MPEP 714: Amendments](https://mpep.net/mpep-714/): MPEP 714 explained: amending claims and the specification, claim status identifiers, and amendments after final or after allowance under 37 CFR 1.312.
- [MPEP 716: Declarations and Unexpected Results](https://mpep.net/mpep-716/): MPEP 716 explained: Rule 132 declarations, objective evidence of nonobviousness, the nexus requirement, and unexpected results.
- [MPEP 803: Restriction Requirements](https://mpep.net/mpep-803/): MPEP 803 explained: the two criteria for a proper restriction requirement, and election of species for Markush claims.
- [MPEP 804: Double Patenting](https://mpep.net/mpep-804/): MPEP 804 explained: statutory and nonstatutory (obviousness-type) double patenting, and overcoming it with a terminal disclaimer.
- [MPEP 821.04: Rejoinder](https://mpep.net/mpep-821-04/): MPEP 821.04 explained: rejoinder of nonelected product or process claims once the elected claims are allowable.
- [MPEP 1490: Disclaimers and Terminal Disclaimers](https://mpep.net/mpep-1490/): MPEP 1490 explained: statutory disclaimers and terminal disclaimers filed to overcome nonstatutory double patenting under 37 CFR 1.321.
- [MPEP 2242: Substantial New Question of Patentability](https://mpep.net/mpep-2242/): MPEP 2242 explained: the substantial new question of patentability that decides whether ex parte reexamination is ordered.
- [MPEP 2103: The Patent Examination Process](https://mpep.net/mpep-2103/): MPEP 2103 explained: the order in which examiners review an application, from what the applicant invented to the patentability requirements.
- [Intended Use in the MPEP](https://mpep.net/intended-use/): What the MPEP says about intended use limitations, preambles and functional language, and when they distinguish a claim from prior art.
- [Teaching Away in the MPEP](https://mpep.net/teaching-away/): What the MPEP says about teaching away: when prior art criticizes or discourages the claimed solution, and why a mere preference does not count.
- [Impermissible Hindsight in the MPEP](https://mpep.net/hindsight/): What the MPEP says about impermissible hindsight in obviousness rejections, and how examiners and applicants address it.
- [Official Notice in the MPEP](https://mpep.net/official-notice/): What the MPEP says about official notice: when an examiner may rely on well-known facts without a reference, and how to challenge it.
- [MPEP PDF Download](https://mpep.net/mpep-pdf/): Where to download the official MPEP as PDFs from the USPTO, chapter by chapter, and where to read it free online with search.

## Full text
- [llms-full.txt](https://mpep.net/llms-full.txt): every entry in plain text

## Reference pages
- [Wysebridge profile](https://mpep.net/wysebridge/)
- [Entity map](https://mpep.net/entity-map/)
- [Methodology](https://mpep.net/methodology/)
- [Sources](https://mpep.net/sources/)
- [Glossary](https://mpep.net/glossary/)

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