核准通知後的修正程序

筆記

當美國專利局發出核准通知（ Notice of Allowance）後，申請人仍可以審視一下專利範圍是否有問題、是否要增補一些範圍（特別是附屬範圍，避免重新進入審查）、甚至考慮是否限縮獨立項範圍？若是，顯然要在繳費領證（三個月內）前提出修訂，請專利局重新發一次核准通知，但其中Remarks的部份要聲明這些修訂有其必要、不需要再進行檢索與審查、這些範圍為可核准、為何之前並未出現在先前專利範圍中，並提出理由。

先前相關文章：http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2011/05/amendments-after-allowance.html

以下是USPTO給的指示：
此類修訂盡量避免需要額外的檢索與審查，否則應會被要求提出RCE：

仍要提出完整說明書，以及一篇聲明，如果有新增權利範圍，應明確指出這些不需要額外的檢索與審查，對於引證前案仍具有新穎性與進步性：



此時仍可提出一些前案參考（IDS），但為了避免其他額外的審查意見，應聲明本發明對比這些前案仍具新穎性與進步性，必要時需要繳付延期費，因為已經超出三個月的繳費期限：


補充：
若申請人覺得應該可以恢復之前答辯過程中修改而刪除的內容或是權利範圍，仍可以透過提出修訂而恢復，不過要以新的段落或是權項恢復，而不是拿掉之前的刪除線而已。
MPEP 608.01(s) Restoration of Canceled Matter 
Canceled text in the specification can be reinstated only by a subsequent amendment presenting the previously canceled matter as a new insertion. 37 CFR 1.121(b)(4). A claim canceled by amendment (deleted in its entirety) may be reinstated only by a subsequent amendment presenting the claim as a new claim with a new claim number. 
此段規範恢復已經刪除的事項，是指權利範圍在答辯修正的過程經過刪減後，可能拋棄了部份內容，但仍可透過加入新的段落，或是加入新的權項（新的項次）恢復。

MPEP 714 Amendments, Applicant's Action規範修訂這件事，也提到權利範圍恢復要以「new」項次加入：
(5) Reinstatement of previously canceled claim. A claim which was previously canceled may be reinstated only by adding the claim as a "new" claim with a new claim number. 

要恢復已經刪除的段落，則應以新段落補入，而不是要求移除先前修訂：
Any previously deleted paragraph or section can only be reinstated by a subsequent amendment presenting the previously deleted subject matter. A direction by applicant to remove a previously entered amendment will not be permitted. 

A canceled claim can be reinstated only by a subsequent amendment presenting the claim as a new claim with a new claim number. The original numbering of the claims must be preserved throughout the prosecution. When claims are canceled, the remaining claims must not be renumbered. 

Ron