5.7.1.1 What documents can be amended?

Date Published

Examination practice 

Documents that can be amended 

Section 104 states that an applicant or patentee can ask the Commissioner for leave to amend:

  • a patent request;
  • the complete specification; and
  • any other filed document. This includes notices of entitlement and provisional specifications.

Documents that cannot be amended

Under reg 10.3(2), amendment of an abstract is not allowable. Applicants should be asked to delete any items in the amendment request that relate to the abstract.

Amendment of a patent request is not allowable after the patent has been granted. This applies to innovation patents as well as standard patents.​​​​​​​