How are multiple amendments handled after an Action Closing Prosecution (ACP)?
According to MPEP 2673, when multiple amendments are submitted after an Action Closing Prosecution (ACP), only the first amendment will be considered. The MPEP explicitly states:
“Where multiple amendments are submitted after the ACP, all amendments except for the first one will be returned without consideration, since they are improper submissions. Thus, if prosecution is reopened, only the first amendment will be present for entry.”
This means that patent owners should carefully consider their amendments and include all necessary changes in the first submission after the ACP, as subsequent amendments will not be entered or considered.
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 2600 - Optional Inter Partes Reexamination,
MPEP 2673 - Examiner Consideration Of Submissions After Acp And Further Action,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure