Why is prompt notification of a Notice of Allowability important?

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.

Prompt notification of a Notice of Allowability is crucial for several reasons. According to MPEP 1302.03:

“Prompt notice to applicant is important because it may avoid an unnecessary appeal and act as a safeguard against a holding of abandonment.”

This statement highlights two key benefits of timely notification:

• Avoiding unnecessary appeals: If an applicant is promptly informed that their claims are allowable, they can avoid the time and expense of preparing and filing an appeal.
• Preventing abandonment: Timely notification helps ensure that the applicant doesn’t inadvertently abandon their application by missing deadlines or failing to respond to office actions.

Prompt notification also allows applicants to move forward with their patent strategy more efficiently, potentially speeding up the overall patent process.