How should claim numbering be handled in patent applications?

Proper claim numbering is an important aspect of patent application review. MPEP 1302.01 provides guidance on this matter:

The claims should be renumbered as required by 37 CFR 1.126, and particular attention should be given to claims dependent on previous claims to see that the numbering is consistent.

This means that during the general review of disclosure, examiners should:

1. Ensure all claims are numbered consecutively in Arabic numerals
2. Pay special attention to dependent claims to verify that their numbering aligns with the claims they depend on
3. Renumber claims if necessary to maintain proper order and consistency

For more detailed information on claim numbering and dependency, refer to MPEP § 608.01(j) for independent claims and MPEP § 608.01(n) for dependent claims.

Proper claim numbering is crucial for clarity and avoiding confusion in patent documents, so it’s an essential part of the review process.

To learn more:

• claim numbering
• patent claims
• dependent claims