MPEP 900
Prior Art, Classification, and Search
This is the Ninth Edition of the MPEP, Revision 01.2024, Last Revised in November 2024
Chapter 900: Prior Art, Classification, and Search
901: Prior Art
901.01: Canceled Matter in U.S. Patent Files
901.01(a): Ordering of Patented and Abandoned Provisional and Nonprovisional Application Files
901.02: Abandoned Applications
901.03: Pending Applications
901.04: U.S. Patents
901.04(a): Kind Codes
901.05: Foreign Patent Documents
901.05(a): Citation Data
901.05(b): Other Significant Data
901.05(c): Obtaining Copies
901.05(d): Translation
901.06: Nonpatent Publications
901.06(a): Scientific and Technical Information Center (STIC)
901.06(b): Borrowed Publications
901.06(c): Alien Property Custodian Publications
901.06(d): Abstracts, Abbreviatures, and Defensive Publications
901.07: Patent Family Information
901.08: Global Dossier Public Access
902: Search Tools and Classification Information
902.01: Classification Manual for the U.S. Patent Classification System
902.01(a): Index to the U.S. Patent Classification System
902.02: Class and Subclass Definitions in USPC
902.02(a): Definition Notes in USPC
902.02(b): Reserved
902.03: Classification Information
902.03(a): Patent Classification Home Page on the Internet
902.03(b): Patent Classification Home Page on the USPTO Intranet
902.03(c): Reserved
902.03(d): Reserved
902.03(e): Automated Search Tools: PE2E SEARCH
903: Classification in USPC
903.01: Statutory Authority
903.02: Basis and Principles of Classification in USPC
903.02(a): Reserved
903.02(b): Scope of a Class in the USPC
903.03: Availability of Foreign Patents
903.04: Classifying Applications for Publication as a Plant Patent Application Publication in USPC
903.05: Addition, Deletion, or Transfer of U.S. Design Patents by USPC Classification
903.06: Harmonized Subclasses
903.07: Classifying and Cross-Referencing Design and Plant Applications at Allowance
903.07(a): Cross-Referencing Design and Plant Applications — Keep Systematic Notes During Prosecution
903.08: Reserved
903.08(a): Reserved
903.08(b): Reserved
903.08(c): Reserved
903.08(d): Reserved
903.08(e): Reserved
903.09: Reserved
903.09(a): Reserved
904: How to Search
904.01: Analysis of Claims
904.01(a): Variant Embodiments Within Scope of Claim
904.01(b): Equivalents
904.01(c): Analogous Arts
904.02: General Search Guidelines
904.02(a): Classified Search
904.02(b): Search Tool Selection
904.02(c): Internet Searching
904.03: Conducting the Search
904.04: Search of Related Post-Grant Proceedings
905: Cooperative Patent Classification
905.01: Classification Scheme for CPC
905.01(a): CPC Titles
905.01(a)(1): References within CPC Titles
905.01(a)(2): Notes Found in CPC schemes
905.01(a)(3): Warnings Found in CPC schemes
905.01(a)(4): Guidance Headings Found in CPC Schemes
905.02: CPC Definitions
905.03: Classifying in CPC
905.03(a): The CPC Database
905.03(b): Approach to classification in CPC
905.03(c): Combination Sets
906: International Classification of Patents for Inventions
907: Locarno Classification Designations
908: Reserved
909: Routing and Docketing of Applications
909.01: Assignment, Transfer and Classification Challenges under Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC)
909.01(a): New Applications in CPC
909.01(b): Classification and Assignment to Examiner in CPC
909.01(c): Immediate Inspection of Amendments
909.01(d): Classification Challenge Procedure in CPC
909.02: Applications: Assignment and Transfer in USPC
909.02(a): New Design and Plant Patent Applications under 35 U.S.C. 161
909.02(b): Classification and Assignment to Examiner
909.02(c): Reserved
909.02(d): Transfer Procedure
909.02(e): General Guidelines Governing the Assignment of Nonprovisional Design and Plant Applications for Examination