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if two or more independent and distinct inventions are claimed in a single application, the examiner may require the applicant to elect (designate) a single invention to which the claims will be restricted (limited to). This requirement is known as a requirement for restriction (also known as a requirement for division). Such requirement will normally be made before any action on the merits; however, it may be made at any time before final action (final rejection). (-- see 37 CFR § 1.141 and § 1.142)
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All > Law > Intellectual Property > Patent
A requirement by an Examiner that an applicant choose which of multiple claimed, distinct inventions disclosed in a patent application that he/she wishes to be examined. MPEP 802, MPEP 802.02, MPEP 803.
- Browse Related Terms: Art Unit, Auslegeschrift, Citation, Election, Examiner's Action, final rejection, First Action, Front Page Drawing, information disclosure statement (IDS), Kokai, Kokoku, New Issue, notice of allowance, Office action, Old Application, Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), Patent Examiner, Patentability, Preliminary Examination, Preliminary Examination Report, Reexamination, restriction, restriction requirement, Special Status, Substantive Examination, Traverse
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