What does it mean when a patent application is designated as ‘rejected’?
A patent application is designated as ‘rejected’ when it contains an unanswered examiner’s action during its prosecution in the examining group and before allowance. According to MPEP 203.02:
A nonprovisional application which, during its prosecution in the examining group and before allowance, contains an unanswered examiner’s action is designated as a ‘rejected’ application.
This status continues until the applicant responds to the examiner’s action or the application becomes abandoned.
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 200 - Types and Status of Application; Benefit and Priority,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure