When should an issue of premature final rejection be raised?

According to MPEP 706.07(c), any question regarding the prematurity of a final rejection “should be raised, if at all, while the application is still pending before the primary examiner.” This means that applicants or their representatives should address this issue as soon as they become aware of it, and before the examination process moves beyond the primary examiner stage.

To learn more:

• final rejection
• patent examination
• premature rejection
• primary examiner