Innovation & intellectual property · 10/03/2008

Examination of Patent Applications That Include Claims Containing Alternative Language

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) published a notice proposing to revise the rules of practice pertaining to any claim using alternative language to claim two or more independent and distinct inventions (Alternative Claims Notice of Proposed Rule Making). The Office has prepared an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) on this proposed change to the rules of practice. This notice publishes the IRFA and requests public comment on the IRFA. This notice also invites public comment on the Alternative Claims Notice of Proposed Rule Making.