Can an examiner make a new rejection after a common ownership statement disqualifies prior art?

Can an examiner make a new rejection after a common ownership statement disqualifies prior art? Yes, an examiner can make a new rejection even after a common ownership statement disqualifies previously cited prior art. The MPEP 717.02(c) provides guidance on this situation: “If the rejection is obviated and the claims are otherwise allowable, the examiner…

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