# MPEP § 2001.03: To Whom Duty of Disclosure Is Owed

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S2001.03

## Section

- **Citation:** MPEP § 2001.03
- **Heading:** To Whom Duty of Disclosure Is Owed
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** USPTO MPEP / Chapter 2000 - Duty of Disclosure / MPEP § 2001.03

## Text

37 CFR
1.56(a)
states that the “duty of candor and good faith” is owed
“in dealing with the Office” and that all associated with the filing and prosecution of
a patent application have a “duty to disclose to the Office” material information. This
duty “in dealing with” and “to” the Office extends, of course, to all dealings which
such individuals have with the Office, and is not limited to representations to or
dealings with the examiner. For example, the duty would extend to proceedings before the
Patent Trial and Appeal Board and the Office of the Commissioner for Patents.

## Nearby sections

- [MPEP § 2000.01 Introduction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S2000.01.md)
- [MPEP § 2001 Duty of Disclosure, Candor, and Good Faith](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S2001.md)
- [MPEP § 2001.01 Who Has Duty To Disclose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S2001.01.md)
- [MPEP § 2001.02 [Reserved]](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S2001.02.md)
- [MPEP § 2001.03 To Whom Duty of Disclosure Is Owed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S2001.03.md)
- [MPEP § 2001.04 Information Under 37 CFR 1.56(a)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S2001.04.md)
- [MPEP § 2001.05 Materiality Under 37 CFR 1.56(b)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S2001.05.md)
- [MPEP § 2001.06 Sources of Information under 37 CFR 1.56](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S2001.06.md)
- [MPEP § 2001.06(a) Prior Art Cited in Related Foreign Applications](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S2001.06(a).md)
- [MPEP § 2001.06(b) Information Relating to or From Copending United States Patent Applications](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S2001.06(b).md)
- [MPEP § 2001.06(c) Information From Related Litigation and/or Trial Proceedings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S2001.06(c).md)
- [MPEP § 2001.06(d) Information Relating to Claims Copied From a Patent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S2001.06(d).md)
- [MPEP § 2001.06(e) Information Relating to Regulatory Review](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S2001.06(e).md)
- [MPEP § 2002 Disclosure — By Whom and How Made](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S2002.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S2001.03. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
