# MPEP § 801: Introduction

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S801

## Section

- **Citation:** MPEP § 801
- **Heading:** Introduction
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** USPTO MPEP / Chapter 0800 - Restriction in Applications Filed Under 35 U.S.C. 111 › Double Patenting / MPEP § 801

## Text

This chapter is limited to a discussion of the subjects of restriction and
double patenting under Title 35 of the United States Code and Title 37 of the Code of
Federal Regulations as it relates to national applications filed under
35 U.S.C. 111(a)
. The
discussion of unity of invention under the Patent Cooperation Treaty Articles and Rules as
it is applied as an International Searching Authority, International Preliminary Examining
Authority, and in applications entering the National Stage under
35 U.S.C. 371
as a
Designated or Elected Office in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is covered in
MPEP Chapter
1800
.
See
MPEP § 823
for a summary of the guidance
set forth in this chapter with regard to other substantive and procedural matters that
generally apply to national stage applications submitted under
35 U.S.C. 371
.
The general principles set forth in this chapter apply to
design applications, except as identified in
MPEP § 1504.05
and
§ 1504.06
. The general
principles set forth in this chapter apply to reissue applications, however see
MPEP §
803.05
and
§ 1450
for a discussion of the
prerequisites to making a restriction requirement in reissue applications. With regard to
reexamination proceedings, restriction is not permitted. Basic principles of double
patenting apply to reexamination proceedings, as explained in this chapter and in
MPEP Chapters
2200
and
2600
(see especially
MPEP § 2258
).
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## Nearby sections

- [MPEP § 801 Introduction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S801.md)
- [MPEP § 802 Basis for Restriction Practice in Statute and Rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S802.md)
- [MPEP § 802.01 Meaning of “Independent” and “Distinct”](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S802.01.md)
- [MPEP § 802.02 Definition of Restriction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S802.02.md)
- [MPEP § 803 Restriction — When Proper](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S803.md)
- [MPEP § 803.01 Review by Examiner with at Least Partial Signatory Authority](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S803.01.md)
- [MPEP § 803.02 Election of Species Requirements – Markush Claims](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S803.02.md)
- [MPEP § 803.03 Transitional Applications](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S803.03.md)
- [MPEP § 803.03(a) Transitional Application — Linking Claim Allowable](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S803.03(a).md)
- [MPEP § 803.03(b) Transitional Application — Generic Claim Allowable](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S803.03(b).md)
- [MPEP § 803.04 Nucleotide Sequences](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S803.04.md)
- [MPEP § 803.05 Reissue Application Practice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S803.05.md)
- [MPEP § 804 Definition of Double Patenting](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S804.md)
- [MPEP § 804.01 Prohibition of Nonstatutory Double Patenting Rejections Under 35 U.S.C. 121](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S804.01.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S801. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.