Before making a request for PPH, what must not have occurred?

The correct answer highlights that examination of the application must not have begun before making a request for the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH). The PPH program is designed to expedite the processing of patent applications that have already been examined by a participating patent office and have allowed claims. Participating in PPH typically requires the applicant to demonstrate that their application claims are not only grounded upon a claim that has been allowed in a corresponding application in another jurisdiction but also that the examination process in their application has yet to be initiated.

If examination has begun, the application will not meet the PPH requirements, as PPH relies on the examination processes and findings conducted in the other jurisdiction. This ensures an efficient workflow where the examination process can benefit from the results of prior examinations, thereby preventing duplication of efforts.

This context helps to clarify why the action stipulated in the correct choice is essential for eligibility under the PPH program. The other options generally describe conditions or issues that would not directly impede the request for PPH.