What is the significance of 37 CFR 1.55(h) for foreign priority claims?

37 CFR 1.55(h) provides an important provision for satisfying the requirement for a certified copy of a foreign application. Key points include:

• It allows the certified copy requirement to be met through a prior-filed nonprovisional application.
• The prior-filed application must be one for which benefit is claimed under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c).
• The prior-filed application must contain the certified copy and be identified as such.
• This provision can simplify the process of perfecting priority claims in related applications.

The MPEP states: 37 CFR 1.55(h) provides that the requirement for a certified copy of the foreign application will be considered satisfied in an application if a prior-filed nonprovisional application for which a benefit is claimed under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c) contains a certified copy of the foreign application and the prior-filed nonprovisional application is identified as containing a certified copy of the foreign application.

This provision can be particularly useful when requesting a certificate of correction to perfect a priority claim in a patent that claims benefit from an earlier application containing the certified copy.