The Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) is maintained by the MPEP staff, within the Office of Patent Examination Policy. To learn more about the organization and operation of the MPEP staff, please see the MPEP staff page.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the MPEP?
The Manual of Patent Examining Procedure or MPEP is published to provide U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patent examiners, applicants, attorneys, agents, and representatives of applicants with a reference work on the practices and procedures relative to the prosecution of patent applications before the USPTO. It contains instructions to examiners, as well as other material in the nature of information and interpretation, and outlines the current procedures which the examiners are required or authorized to follow in appropriate cases in the normal examination of a patent application.
Is there a tutorial on how to use the eMPEP?
Yes, please see the MPEP guide [PDF] or MPEP quick reference guide [PDF].
How may I obtain a copy of a prior edition or revision of the MPEP?
An archive of previous versions is available here.
How may I contact an editor of the MPEP?
Please send communications via electronic mail to MPEPFeedback@uspto.gov.
Contact us
Use MPEPFeedback@uspto.gov to send an inquiry to the MPEP staff. Additional questions may be sent to the Patent Examination Policy offices.