When is a patent application considered “amended”?

According to MPEP 203.03, a nonprovisional patent application is considered “amended” after it has been initially acted on by the examiner, and the applicant has filed a reply to the examiner’s action. The applicant’s reply may include:

  • An election
  • A traverse of the examiner’s action
  • An amendment to the application
Topics: MPEP 200 - Types and Status of Application; Benefit and Priority Claims, MPEP 203 - Status of Applications, Patent Law, Patent Procedure
Tags: amended application, amendments, applicant reply, election, examiner action, MPEP 203.03, patent application status, traverse