The USPTO posted an update on the TC1600 Restriction Practice Action Plan announced on October 6, 2003.  This plan is to improve quality and respond to customer needs by establishing best practices related to restrictions on the number of inventions and/or claim sets in biotechnology, pharmaceutical and organic chemistry patent applications examined in Technology Center 1600 (TC 1600).  A first phase of examiner training has been completed that focused on the basic principles of restriction requirements, and included a review of linking claims, Markush practice, and rejoinder issues.  The training material included sample claim sets and corresponding restriction requirements.  The training materials have been posted on the USPTO web site .  Questions or comments concerning the training examples may be addressed to Deborah Reynolds by phone at 571-272-0734

Comments are closed.