¶ 12.286 Dismissal Following A Supplemental Examiner’s Answer Written in Response to a Remand for Further Consideration of a Rejection
Appellant failed to timely respond to the supplemental examiner’s answer mailed on [1] that was written in response to a remand by the Board for further consideration of a rejection. Under 37 CFR 41.50(a)(2) , appellant must, within two months from the date of the supplemental examiner’s answer, file either: (1) a request that prosecution be reopened by filing a reply under 37 CFR 1.111; or (2) a request that the appeal be maintained by filing a reply brief under 37 CFR 41.41, to avoid sua sponte dismissal of the appeal as to the claims subject to the rejection for which the Board has remanded the proceeding. In view of appellant’s failure to file a reply under 37 CFR 1.111 or a reply brief within the time period required by 37 CFR 41.50(a)(2), the appeal as to claims [2] is dismissed, and these claims are canceled.
Only claims [3] remain in the application. The appeal continues as to these remaining claims. The application will be forwarded to the Board after mailing of this communication.
Examiner Note:
1. In bracket 1, insert the mailing date of the supplemental examiner’s answer.
2. In bracket 2, insert the claim numbers of the claims subject to the rejection for which the Board has remanded the proceeding.
3. In bracket 3, insert the claim numbers of the claims that are not subject to the rejection.