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714.19 List of Amendments, Entry Denied [R-2] - 700 Examination of Applications
714.19 List of Amendments, Entry Denied [R-2]
The following types of amendments are ordinarily denied entry:
(A) An amendment presenting an unpatentable claim, or a claim requiring a new search or otherwise raising a new issue in an application whose prosecution before the primary examiner has been closed, as where
(1) All claims have been allowed,
(2) All claims have been finally rejected (for exceptions see MPEP § 714.12, § 714.13, and § 714.20, item (D)),
(3) Some claims have been allowed and the remainder finally rejected. See MPEP § 714.12 to § 714.14.
(B) Substitute specification that does not comply with 37 CFR 1.125. See MPEP § 608.01(q) and § 714.20.
(C) A patent claim suggested by the examiner and not presented within the time limit set or an extension thereof, unless entry is authorized by the *>Director<. See MPEP § 2305.03.
(D) While copied patent claims are generally admitted even though the application is under final rejection or on appeal, under certain conditions, the claims may be refused entry. See MPEP § 2307.03.
(E) An unsigned or improperly signed amendment or one signed by a suspended or excluded attorney or agent.
(F) An amendment filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office after the expiration of the statutory period or set time period for reply and any extension thereof. See MPEP § 714.17.
(G) An amendment so worded that it cannot be entered with certain accuracy. See MPEP § 714.23.
(H) An amendment ** canceling all of the claims and presenting no substitute claim or claims. See MPEP § 711.01.
(I) An amendment in an application no longer within the examiner's jurisdiction with certain exceptions in applications in issue, except on approval of the *>Director<. See MPEP § 714.16.
(J) Amendments to the drawing held by the examiner to contain new matter are not entered until the question of new matter is settled. This practice of nonentry because of alleged new matter, however, does not apply in the case of amendments to the specification and claims. See MPEP § 608.04 and § 706.03(o).
(K) An amendatory paper containing objectionable remarks that, in the opinion of the examiner, brings it within the condemnation of 37 CFR 1.3, will be submitted to the Technology Center (TC) Director **. See MPEP § 714.25 and MPEP § 1003. If the TC Director determines that the remarks are in violation of 37 CFR 1.3, he or she will *>notify the applicant of the non-entry of< the paper.
(L) Amendments not in permanent ink. Amendments on so-called "easily erasable paper." See MPEP § 714.07.
(M) An amendment presenting claims (total and independent) in excess of the number previously paid for and not accompanied by the full fee for the claims or an authorization to charge the fee to a deposit account or credit card. See MPEP § 509.
(N) An amendment canceling all claims drawn to the elected invention and presenting only claims drawn to the nonelected invention should not be entered. Such an amendment is nonresponsive. Applicant should be notified as directed in MPEP § 714.03 and § 714.05. See MPEP § 821.03.
(O) An amendment including changes to the specification/claims which is not in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121, *>e.g.<, one which does not include replacement paragraphs *>or claim listings<. See MPEP § 714.22.
(P) A preliminary amendment that unduly interferes with the preparation of a first Office action. Factors to be considered in denying entry of the preliminary amendment are set forth in 37 CFR 1.115(b). See MPEP § 714.03(a).
(Q) A second (or subsequent) supplemental reply that unduly interferes with an Office action being prepared in response to the previous reply. Factors to be considered in denying entry of the reply are set forth in 37 CFR 1.111(a)(2). See MPEP § 714.03(a).
While amendments falling within any of the foregoing categories should not be entered by the examiner at the time of filing, a subsequent showing by applicant may lead to entry of the amendment.
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