What is the purpose of listing rejoined claims in the index of claims?

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.

Listing rejoined claims in the index of claims serves a crucial purpose in the patent examination and issuance process. The MPEP 1302.04(h) specifies that:

“Any previously withdrawn claims that are being rejoined and allowed must be listed in the index of claims and on the Notice of Allowability to avoid a printer query.”

The primary purposes of this requirement are:

• To ensure all allowed claims, including those previously withdrawn, are properly documented
• To prevent confusion or errors during the patent printing process
• To provide a clear and complete record of the allowed claims in the patent application

By listing rejoined claims in the index of claims, the patent office can streamline the issuance process and minimize the risk of printer queries, which could potentially delay the granting of the patent.