This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.
The treatment of continuation-in-part (CIP) applications changed significantly after the deletion of 37 CFR 1.62. According to the MPEP: “A request filed on or after December 1, 1997, under former 37 CFR 1.62 for a continuation-in-part (CIP) application, or for a continuation or divisional of an application having a filing date before June 8, 1995, will be treated as an improper application.” This means that CIP applications can no longer be filed under the former File Wrapper Continuing Procedure and must be filed as new applications.
For more information on continuation-in-part application, visit: continuation-in-part application.