Are reserved MPEP sections common?

Reserved sections are relatively common in the MPEP, especially for section numbers that are being held for future use or that previously contained content that was moved. A quick scan of the MPEP Chapter 200 shows several reserved sections, such as: Section 203.07 [Reserved] Sections 204-209 [Reserved] Section 212 [Reserved]

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Why would an MPEP section be reserved?

An MPEP section may be marked as [Reserved] for several reasons: The topic is not currently relevant but a section is being held for potential future use The section was previously used but the content was moved elsewhere in the MPEP The section is a placeholder to maintain a desired numbering scheme

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Should patent attorneys or examiners be concerned about ‘[Reserved]’ sections like MPEP 212?

Patent attorneys and examiners generally do not need to be concerned about ‘[Reserved]’ sections like MPEP 212. These sections contain no substantive information and do not affect current patent examination procedures. However, it’s good practice to stay informed about MPEP updates in case reserved sections are filled with new content in the future.

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What is the significance of the ‘[R-]’ notation after MPEP 212 [Reserved]?

The ‘[R-]’ notation after ‘MPEP 212 [Reserved]’ typically indicates that this section has been revised. However, in this case, since the section is reserved and empty, the ‘[R-]’ may be a placeholder for future revision dates. When a substantive revision occurs, a date is usually added after the ‘R’, such as ‘[R-10.2019]’ to indicate an…

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