How does the USPTO determine if inventions are “not connected in design, operation, or effect”?

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) uses specific criteria to determine if inventions are “not connected in design, operation, or effect” as outlined in MPEP 806. This determination is crucial for establishing distinctness or independence between claimed inventions. Here’s how the USPTO approaches this: Design: Inventions are not connected in design if they…

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