Who is responsible for notifying the applicant about rejoined 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.

The responsibility for notifying the applicant about rejoined claims lies with the patent examiner. According to MPEP 1302.04(h):

“The examiner should notify the applicant of the rejoinder.”

This notification is an important step in the patent examination process, as it informs the applicant that previously withdrawn claims are now being considered and allowed. The examiner’s notification ensures that the applicant is aware of the full scope of the allowed claims in their patent application.