MPEP § 707.07(i) — Each Claim To Be Mentioned in Each Office Action (Annotated Rules)

§707.07(i) Each Claim To Be Mentioned in Each Office Action

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 707.07(i), 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.

Each Claim To Be Mentioned in Each Office Action

This section addresses Each Claim To Be Mentioned in Each Office Action. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.142), 37 CFR 1.146), and 37 CFR 1.142. Contains: 5 guidance statements and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

Examiner's Action (37 CFR 1.104)

3 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-707-07-i-9a94e66789f737b61d74c8ea]
Examiner Must Address Each Version Separately in Office Action
Note:
When an application includes multiple dependent claims, the examiner must address each version separately in the office action.

When the application includes multiple dependent claims, treat each version of the multiple dependent claim separately in the Office action. See MPEP § 608.01(n), subsection I.F and Nested Bean, Inc. v. Big Beings Pty Ltd., IPR2020-01234, Paper 42 (Feb. 24, 2023).

Jump to MPEP SourceExaminer's Action (37 CFR 1.104)Examination ProceduresComplete Action Requirement
MPEP GuidanceRecommendedAlways
[mpep-707-07-i-d44dd8b8d97c01ee1e6b9fb5]
Each Claim Must Be Mentioned and Treated in Office Action
Note:
In every Office action, each pending claim must be mentioned by number and its treatment or status given to ensure traceability of its history.

In every Office action, each pending claim should be mentioned by number, and its treatment or status given. Since a claim retains its original numeral throughout the prosecution of the application, its history through successive actions is thus easily traceable. Each action should include a summary of the status of all claims presented for examination. Form PTO-326 “Office Action Summary” should be used.

Jump to MPEP SourceExaminer's Action (37 CFR 1.104)Examination ProceduresComplete Action Requirement
MPEP GuidanceRecommendedAlways
[mpep-707-07-i-442679282f22484ac54b2561]
Each Claim Must Be Mentioned in Office Action
Note:
Each pending claim should be mentioned by number and its status provided in every office action.

In every Office action, each pending claim should be mentioned by number, and its treatment or status given. Since a claim retains its original numeral throughout the prosecution of the application, its history through successive actions is thus easily traceable. Each action should include a summary of the status of all claims presented for examination. Form PTO-326 “Office Action Summary” should be used.

Jump to MPEP SourceExaminer's Action (37 CFR 1.104)Examination ProceduresComplete Action Requirement
Topic

Complete Action Requirement

3 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-707-07-i-e3d2aac3440cdbbdf80e43c9]
Index of Claims Must Be Updated
Note:
The index of claims must be kept current according to MPEP § 719.04.

The Index of Claims should be kept up to date as set forth in MPEP § 719.04.

Jump to MPEP SourceComplete Action RequirementOffice Action Content RequirementsExaminer's Action (37 CFR 1.104)
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-707-07-i-1959f488339ef2f4492eae32]
Claims Must Retain Original Numerals Throughout Prosecution
Note:
Each claim must retain its original number throughout the application process, ensuring their history can be easily traced in successive Office actions.

In every Office action, each pending claim should be mentioned by number, and its treatment or status given. Since a claim retains its original numeral throughout the prosecution of the application, its history through successive actions is thus easily traceable. Each action should include a summary of the status of all claims presented for examination. Form PTO-326 “Office Action Summary” should be used.

Jump to MPEP SourceComplete Action RequirementOffice Action Content RequirementsStatutory Authority for Examination
MPEP GuidanceRecommendedAlways
[mpep-707-07-i-73affc7c6b6a3f1346c7ca86]
Each Claim Must Be Mentioned and Its Status Summarized in Each Office Action
Note:
In every Office action, each pending claim must be mentioned by number and its treatment or status provided.

In every Office action, each pending claim should be mentioned by number, and its treatment or status given. Since a claim retains its original numeral throughout the prosecution of the application, its history through successive actions is thus easily traceable. Each action should include a summary of the status of all claims presented for examination. Form PTO-326 “Office Action Summary” should be used.

Jump to MPEP SourceComplete Action RequirementStatutory Authority for ExaminationOffice Action Content Requirements
Topic

Election of Species

1 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-707-07-i-23eed4147455151bc8580bd4]
Claims After Restriction/Election Must Follow MPEP
Note:
Claims retained after a restriction requirement or election of species requirement must be treated according to the guidelines in MPEP sections 821 to 821.04(b).

Claims retained after a restriction requirement (37 CFR 1.142) or election of species requirement (37 CFR 1.146) should be treated as set out in MPEP §§ 821 to 821.04(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.142)Election of SpeciesRestriction and ElectionComplete Action Requirement

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Election of Species37 CFR § 1.142
Election of Species37 CFR § 1.146
Examiner's Action (37 CFR 1.104)MPEP § 608.01(n)
Complete Action RequirementMPEP § 719.04
Election of SpeciesMPEP § 821

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