MPEP Section 803.01, Review by Examiner with at Least Partial Signatory Authority

Executive summary:

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803.01 Review by Examiner with at Least Partial Signatory Authority

Since requirements for restriction under 35 U.S.C. 121 are discretionary with the *>Director<, it becomes very important that the practice under this section be carefully administered. Notwithstanding the fact that this section of the statute apparently protects the applicant against the dangers that previously might have resulted from compliance with an improper requirement for restriction, IT STILL REMAINS IMPORTANT FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST THAT NO REQUIREMENTS BE MADE WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN THE ISSUANCE OF TWO PATENTS FOR THE SAME INVENTION. Therefore, to guard against this possibility, only an examiner with permanent >full signatory authority< or temporary full signatory authority may sign final ** Office actions containing a final requirement for restriction**>. An< examiner with permanent >partial signatory authority< or temporary partial signatory authority may sign non-final Office actions containing a final requirement for restriction.