MPEP § 706.07(d) — Final Rejection, Withdrawal of, Premature (Annotated Rules)

§706.07(d) Final Rejection, Withdrawal of, Premature

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2025-12-31

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 706.07(d), including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.

Final Rejection, Withdrawal of, Premature

This section addresses Final Rejection, Withdrawal of, Premature. Contains: 1 requirement, 1 prohibition, 2 guidance statements, and 1 permission.

Key Rules

Topic

Types of Office Actions

2 rules
MPEP GuidanceRequiredAlways
[mpep-706-07-d-d7f4b450347c0a12aacb1681]
Finality of Office Action Must Be Withdrawn While Application Is Pending
Note:
The examiner must withdraw the final rejection if reconsideration is requested while the application remains pending.

If, on request by applicant for reconsideration, the primary examiner finds the final rejection to have been premature, he or she should withdraw the finality of the rejection. The finality of the Office action must be withdrawn while the application is still pending. The examiner cannot withdraw the final rejection once the application is abandoned.

Jump to MPEP SourceTypes of Office ActionsExaminer's Action (37 CFR 1.104)Examination Procedures
MPEP GuidancePermittedAlways
[mpep-706-07-d-651a4df1978c5f5a4692ef16]
Next Office Action May Be Final After Withdrawal of Finality
Note:
If the finality of an Office action is withdrawn, a subsequent Office action can be made final provided that the conditions outlined in MPEP § 706.07(a) are met.

Once the finality of the Office action has been withdrawn, the next Office action may be made final if the conditions set forth in MPEP § 706.07(a) are met.

Jump to MPEP SourceTypes of Office ActionsExaminer's Action (37 CFR 1.104)Examination Procedures
Topic

Examiner Signature Authority

1 rules
MPEP GuidanceRecommendedAlways
[mpep-706-07-d-00b8e5285a395a7504adf667]
Premature Final Rejection Withdrawal Required on Applicant Request
Note:
If the primary examiner finds a final rejection premature upon applicant's request for reconsideration, they must withdraw the finality of the rejection while the application is pending.

If, on request by applicant for reconsideration, the primary examiner finds the final rejection to have been premature, he or she should withdraw the finality of the rejection. The finality of the Office action must be withdrawn while the application is still pending. The examiner cannot withdraw the final rejection once the application is abandoned.

Jump to MPEP SourceExaminer Signature AuthorityFinal Office ActionSigning and Review of Actions
Topic

Final Office Action

1 rules
MPEP GuidanceProhibitedAlways
[mpep-706-07-d-53583ca811d190026de9b179]
Examiner Cannot Withdraw Final Rejection After Abandonment
Note:
The examiner is prohibited from withdrawing a final rejection once the application has been abandoned.

If, on request by applicant for reconsideration, the primary examiner finds the final rejection to have been premature, he or she should withdraw the finality of the rejection. The finality of the Office action must be withdrawn while the application is still pending. The examiner cannot withdraw the final rejection once the application is abandoned.

Jump to MPEP SourceFinal Office ActionFinal RejectionExaminer Signature Authority
Topic

Form Paragraph Usage

1 rules
MPEP GuidanceRecommendedAlways
[mpep-706-07-d-f65f986965fcc9248acf7d25]
Use Form Paragraph 7.42 for Withdrawing Finality of Rejection
Note:
This rule requires the use of form paragraph 7.42 when withdrawing the finality of a rejection from the last Office action.

Form paragraph 7.42 should be used when withdrawing the finality of the rejection of the last Office action.

Jump to MPEP SourceForm Paragraph UsageTypes of Office ActionsForm Paragraphs

Examiner Form Paragraphs

Examiner form paragraphs are standard language that you might see in an Office Action or communication from the USPTO. Examiners have latitude to change the form paragraphs, but you will often see this exact language.

¶ 7.42 ¶ 7.42 Withdrawal of Finality of Last Office Action

Applicant’s request for reconsideration of the finality of the rejection of the last Office action is persuasive and, therefore, the finality of that action is withdrawn.

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Types of Office ActionsMPEP § 706.07(a)
Form Paragraph UsageForm Paragraph § 7.42

Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP

This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.

BlueIron Last Updated: 2025-12-31