Are there exceptions to comprehensive patent examination?
Yes, there are exceptions to comprehensive patent examination. MPEP 707.07(g) outlines specific situations where limiting examination to a particular issue may be appropriate:
- When an application is too informal for a complete action on the merits (See MPEP § 702.01)
- When there is an undue multiplicity of claims and no successful telephone request for election of a limited number of claims (See MPEP § 2173.05(n))
- When there is a misjoinder of inventions and no successful telephone request for election (See MPEP §§ 803, 810, and 812.01)
- When the disclosure is directed to perpetual motion
In these cases, examiners may focus on specific issues rather than providing a comprehensive examination.
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