The following outline should be used to set forth a requirement to restrict.

OUTLINE OF RESTRICTION REQUIREMENT

1. (A) Statement of the requirement to restrict and that it is being made under 35 U.S.C. 121
   1. (1) Identify each group by Roman numeral.
   2. (2) List claims in each group. Check accuracy of numbering of the claims; look for same claims in two groups; and look for omitted claims.
   3. (3) Give short description of total extent of the subject matter claimed in each group, pointing out critical claims of different scope and identifying whether the claims are directed to a combination, subcombination, process, apparatus, or product.
   4. (4) Classify each group.

Form paragraphs 8.08-8.11 should be used to group inventions.

Restriction to one of the following inventions is required under 35 U.S.C. 121:

I. Claim [1], drawn to [2], classified in [3].

II. Claim [4], drawn to [5], classified [6].

Examiner Note:

In brackets 3 and 6, insert USPC class and subclass if classified in the United States Patent Classification or CPC subclass and main group/subgroup if classified in the Cooperative Patent Classification. For example, if examined in USPC, enter USPC Class xxx, subclass yyy.

III. Claim [1], drawn to [2], classified in [3].

Examiner Note:

In bracket 3, insert USPC class and subclass if classified in the United States Patent Classification or CPC subclass and main group/subgroup if classified in the Cooperative Patent Classification. For example, if examined in USPC, enter USPC Class xxx, subclass yyy.

IV. Claim [1], drawn to [2], classified in [3].

Examiner Note:

In bracket 3, insert USPC class and subclass if classified in the United States Patent Classification or CPC subclass and main group/subgroup if classified in the Cooperative Patent Classification. For example, if examined in USPC, enter USPC Class xxx, subclass yyy.

[1]. Claim [2], drawn to [3], classified in [4].

Examiner Note:

1. In bracket 1, insert the appropriate roman numeral, e.g., --V--, --VI--, etc.

2. In bracket 4, insert USPC class and subclass if classified in the United States Patent Classification or CPC subclass and main group/subgroup if classified in the Cooperative Patent Classification. For example, if examined in USPC, enter USPC Class xxx, subclass yyy.

If restriction is required between species, form paragraph 8.01 or 8.02 should be used to set forth the patentably distinct species and reasons for holding the species are independent or distinct. See MPEP § 809.02(a).

1. (B) Take into account claims not grouped, indicating their disposition.
   1. (1) Linking claims
      1. (i) Identify
      2. (ii) Statement of groups to which linking claims may be assigned for examination
   2. (2) Other ungrouped claims
   3. (3) Indicate disposition, e.g., improperly dependent, canceled, etc.
2. (C) Allegation of independence or distinctness
   1. (1) Point out facts which show independence or distinctness
   2. (2) Treat the inventions as claimed, don’t merely state the conclusion that inventions in fact are independent or distinct, e.g.,
      1. (i) Subcombination - Subcombination disclosed as usable together

         Each usable alone or in other identified combination

         Demonstrate by examiner’s suggestion

      2. (ii) Combination - Subcombination

         Combination as claimed does not require subcombination

         AND

         Subcombination usable alone or in other combination

         Demonstrate by examiner’s suggestion

      3. (iii) Process - Apparatus

         Process can be carried out by hand or by other apparatus

         Demonstrate by examiner’s suggestion

         OR

         Demonstrate apparatus can be used in other process (rare).

      4. (iv) Process of making and/or Apparatus for making — Product made

         Claimed product can be made by other process (or apparatus)

         Demonstrate by examiner’s suggestion

         OR

         Demonstrate process of making (or apparatus for making) can produce other product (rare)

3. (D) Provide reasons for insisting upon restriction
   1. (1) Separate status in the art
   2. (2) Different classification
   3. (3) Same classification but recognition of divergent subject matter
   4. (4) Divergent fields of search, or
   5. (5) Search required for one group not required for the other
4. (E) Summary statement
   1. (1) Summarize (i) independence or distinctness and (ii) reasons for insisting upon restriction
   2. (2) Include paragraph advising as to reply required
   3. (3) Indicate effect of allowance of linking claims, if any present
   4. (4) Indicate effect of cancellation of evidence claims (see MPEP § 806.05(c))
   5. (5) Indicate effect of allowance of product claims if restriction was required between a product and a process of making and/or using the product.

Form paragraphs 8.14-8.20.02 may be used as appropriate to set forth the reasons for the holding of independence or distinctness. Form paragraph 8.13 may be used as a heading.

The inventions are independent or distinct, each from the other because:

Examiner Note:

This form paragraph should be followed by one of form paragraphs 8.14-8.20.02 to show independence or distinctness.

One of form paragraphs 8.21.01 through 8.21.03 must be used at the conclusion of each restriction requirement.

Because these inventions are independent or distinct for the reasons given above and there would be a serious burden on the examiner if restriction is not required because the inventions have acquired a separate status in the art in view of their different classification, restriction for examination purposes as indicated is proper.

Examiner Note:

THIS FORM PARAGRAPH (OR ONE OF FORM PARAGRAPHS 8.21.02 OR 8.21.03) MUST BE ADDED AS A CONCLUSION TO ALL RESTRICTION REQUIREMENTS employing any of form paragraphs 8.01, 8.02, or 8.14 to 8.20.03.

Because these inventions are independent or distinct for the reasons given above and there would be a serious burden on the examiner if restriction is not required because the inventions have acquired a separate status in the art due to their recognized divergent subject matter, restriction for examination purposes as indicated is proper.

Examiner Note:

THIS FORM PARAGRAPH (OR ONE OF FORM PARAGRAPHS 8.21.01 OR 8.21.03) MUST BE ADDED AS A CONCLUSION TO ALL RESTRICTION REQUIREMENTS employing any of form paragraphs 8.01, 8.02, or 8.14 to 8.20.03.

Because these inventions are independent or distinct for the reasons given above and there would be a serious burden on the examiner if restriction is not required because the inventions require a different field of search (see MPEP § 808.02), restriction for examination purposes as indicated is proper.

Examiner Note:

THIS FORM PARAGRAPH (OR ONE OF FORM PARAGRAPHS 8.21.01 OR 8.21.02) MUST BE ADDED AS A CONCLUSION TO ALL RESTRICTION REQUIREMENTS employing any of form paragraphs 8.01, 8.02, or 8.14 to 8.20.03.

Form paragraph 8.23.02 must be included in all restriction requirements for applications having joint inventors.

Applicant is reminded that upon the cancellation of claims to a non-elected invention, the inventorship must be corrected in compliance with 37 CFR 1.48(a) if one or more of the currently named inventors is no longer an inventor of at least one claim remaining in the application. A request to correct inventorship under 37 CFR 1.48(a) must be accompanied by an application data sheet in accordance with 37 CFR 1.76 that identifies each inventor by his or her legal name and by the processing fee required under 37 CFR 1.17(i).

Examiner Note:

This form paragraph must be included in all restriction requirements for applications having joint inventors.