2.23.2.7 Priority in Reporting on Voluntary Requests to Amend

Date Published

Although the Act does not provide any specific time limits within which action on a voluntary request to amend must be completed, examiners should deal with such requests promptly and in accordance with the Customer Service Charter Timeliness Guidelines.  Usually a voluntary request to amend is made for a specific reason, and it may be assumed that it is in the applicant’s or patentee’s interest to expedite proceedings. Examiners should note that voluntary amendment requests made, and amendments considered allowable, before a patent request and complete specification are accepted are not subject to opposition and are allowed immediately.  Therefore such requests should be actioned promptly.