How are continuation-in-part (CIP) applications filed after December 1, 1997, treated?

Continuation-in-part (CIP) applications filed under former 37 CFR 1.62 on or after December 1, 1997, are treated as improper applications, regardless of the filing date of the original application. The MPEP states:

“A request filed on or after December 1, 1997, under former 37 CFR 1.62 for a continuation-in-part (CIP) application, or for a continuation or divisional of an application having a filing date before June 8, 1995, will be treated as an improper application.”

This change in procedure means that applicants need to file CIP applications using different methods after December 1, 1997, to ensure proper processing and examination.