MPEP SECTION SUMMARY

When an application is apparently ready for allowance, it should be reviewed by the examiner to make certain that the whole application meets all formal and substantive (i.e., statutory) requirements and that the language of the claims is enabled by, and finds adequate descriptive support in, the application disclosure as originally filed. This section covers the basics of the final review of the application.

MPEP SECTION SUMMARY

Whenever interlineations or cancellations have been made in the specification or amendments which would lead to confusion and mistake, the examiner should require the entire portion of specification affected to be rewritten before passing the application to issue.

MPEP SECTION SUMMARY

A Notice of Allowability form is used whenever an application has been placed in condition for allowance.

MPEP SECTION SUMMARY

An examiner’s amendment may be used to correct informalities in the body of the written portions of the specification as well as all errors and omissions in the claims.

MPEP SECTION SUMMARY

To identify a claim, an examiner’s amendment should refer to it by the original number and, if renumbered in the allowed application, also by the new number.

MPEP SECTION SUMMARY

Any previously withdrawn claims that are being rejoined and allowed must be listed in the index of claims and on the Notice of Allowability to avoid a printer query. The examiner should notify the applicant of the rejoinder.

MPEP SECTION SUMMARY

Where an application otherwise ready for issue requires correction of the drawing, the application is processed for allowance in the Technology Center and then forwarded to the Office of Data Management. Any papers subsequently filed by the applicant, including replacement drawings, are matched with the application file. If the drawings that are received are still not acceptable for publishing, the Office will mail a “Notice to File Corrected Application Papers,” giving the applicant a time period in which to file the corrected drawings.