711.02(c) Termination of Proceedings [R-11.2013]
“Termination of proceedings” is an expression found in 35 U.S.C. 120. As there stated, a second application is considered to be copending with an earlier application if it is filed before
- (A) the patenting,
- (B) the abandonment of, or
- (C) termination of proceedings on the earlier application.
“Before” has consistently been interpreted, in this context, to mean “not later than.”
In each of the following situations, proceedings are terminated:
- (A) When the issue fee is not paid and the application is abandoned for failure to pay the issue fee, proceedings are terminated as of the date the issue fee was due and the application is the same as if it were abandoned after midnight on that date (but if the issue fee is later accepted, on petition, the application is revived). See MPEP § 711.03(c).
- (B) If an application is in interference wherein all the claims present in the application correspond to the counts and the application loses the interference as to all the claims, then proceedings on that application are terminated as of the date appeal or review by civil action was due if no appeal or civil action was filed.
- (C) Proceedings are terminated in an application after decision by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board as explained in MPEP § 1214.06.
- (D) Proceedings are terminated after a decision by the court as explained in MPEP § 1216.01.