MPEP § 803.03(a) — Transitional Application — Linking Claim Allowable (Annotated Rules)

§803.03(a) Transitional Application — Linking Claim Allowable

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 803.03(a), 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.

Transitional Application — Linking Claim Allowable

This section addresses Transitional Application — Linking Claim Allowable. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.17(s), 37 CFR 821.04, and 37 CFR 821.04(a). Contains: 1 guidance statement.

Key Rules

Topic

Processing Fees

1 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-803-03-a-edc5e280c908728e40384f2f]
Refund Fee for Additional Invention
Note:
Applicant must be notified of the option to request a refund if an additional invention's fee was paid when rejoined with the main application due to an allowable linking claim.

Whenever divided inventions in a transitional application are rejoined because a linking claim is allowable (MPEP § 809, § 821.04, and § 821.04(a)) and applicant paid the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(s) for the additional invention, applicant should be notified that he or she may request a refund of the fee paid for that additional invention.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.17(s)Processing FeesFee Requirements

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Processing Fees37 CFR § 1.17(s)
Processing Fees37 CFR § 821.04
Processing Fees37 CFR § 821.04(a)
Processing FeesMPEP § 809

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