How does MPEP 2116 relate to patent examination?
MPEP 2116, titled “Novel, Nonobvious Starting Material or End Product,” is part of the broader chapter on patentability in the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. While the specific content of this section is not provided, it likely guides patent examiners in assessing the patentability of processes involving novel or nonobvious starting materials or end products.
Patent examiners would refer to this section when evaluating patent applications that claim processes using unique starting materials or resulting in distinctive end products. The section may provide guidelines on how to determine if these elements contribute to the overall novelty and non-obviousness of the claimed invention.
For detailed information on how this section is applied in patent examination, it’s advisable to consult the full text of MPEP 2116 and related sections in the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure.
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