Avoiding a First-Action Final Office Action – May 14, 2018
By Ed Ryan There is a natural rhythm to patent prosecution, from non-final, to amendment, to final, to RCE, but that rhythm can be disrupted by an aggressive patent examiner. While the patent practitioner generally expects a new non-final Office Action after filing an RCE or continuing application, a first-action Final Office Action can sometimes result. This cuts off many of...