Can an examiner withdraw the finality of a rejection after an application is abandoned?

Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based)BlueIron Update: 2024-09-10

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

No, an examiner cannot withdraw the finality of a rejection once an application is abandoned. The MPEP 706.07(d) explicitly states:

“The examiner cannot withdraw the final rejection once the application is abandoned.”

This emphasizes the importance of addressing final rejections and considering requests for reconsideration before an application reaches abandoned status.

Tags: abandoned application, final rejection, office action, patent examination