How are inadvertently entered amendments marked in patent applications?
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.
When an amendment is inadvertently entered, it should be clearly marked to indicate its status. According to MPEP 714.21:
Unless such unauthorized entry is deleted, suitable notation should be made on the margin of the amendatory paper, as ‘Not Officially Entered’ with the typewriter tool in Adobe Acrobat.
This notation ensures that all parties involved in the patent examination process are aware that the amendment, despite being physically present, has no legal standing in the application.