MPEP Section 711.04(a), Pulling and Forwarding Abandoned Applications

Executive summary:

This document contains Section 711.04(a) ("Pulling and Forwarding Abandoned Applications") of the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (the "M.P.E.P."), Eighth Edition, Eighth Revision (July 2010). This page was last updated in January 2011. You may return to the section index to find a particular section. Alternatively, you may search the MPEP using the search box that appears on the left side of every page of BitLaw--you may restrict your search to the MPEP on the search results page.

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711.04(a) Pulling and Forwarding Abandoned Applications [R-1]

The files of abandoned applications are pulled and forwarded to the Files Repository on a biweekly basis 1 month after the full 6-month statutory period has expired. However, the date of abandonment is after midnight of the date on which the set shortened statutory period, including any extensions under 37 CFR 1.136, expired.

The applications should be carefully scrutinized by the appropriate examiner to verify that they are actually abandoned. A check should be made of files containing a decision of the Board of Patent Appeals and *>Interferences< for the presence of allowed claims to avoid their being erroneously sent to the Files Repository.

Although the abandoned files are not pulled until the maximum permissible period for which an extension of time under 37 CFR 1.136(a) plus 1 month has expired, the date of the abandonment is after midnight of the date the period for reply actually expired. This is normally the end of the 3-month shortened statutory period.