What is piecemeal examination and how should it be avoided?

Piecemeal examination refers to the practice of addressing only certain issues or grounds of rejection in an Office action while leaving others unaddressed. According to MPEP 707.07(g), piecemeal examination should be avoided as much as possible: The examiner ordinarily should reject each claim on all valid grounds available, avoiding, however, undue multiplication of references. To…

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What is piecemeal examination in patent law?

Piecemeal examination refers to the practice of examining a patent application in a fragmented or incomplete manner. According to MPEP 707.07(g), “Piecemeal examination should be avoided as much as possible.” This means that patent examiners should strive to provide a comprehensive examination of each claim, addressing all valid grounds for rejection in a single office…

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