How should an applicant respond if they receive a "Final" Office Action?

When an applicant receives a "Final" Office Action, the appropriate course of action is to file a response that addresses the issues raised. A "Final" Office Action indicates that the examiner has made a determination regarding the patent application, but it does not mean that the applicant has no further options.

Responding to the Office Action is essential as it gives the applicant the opportunity to argue against the examiner's conclusions, amend the claims, or provide additional evidence to support the patentability of their invention. Because a "Final" Office Action often signifies that the examiner believes the issues cannot be resolved without a substantial change, a careful and well-structured response can still influence the outcome of the application.

Choosing to accept the decision without challenge, file a new provisional application, or file a continuation application may not effectively address the specific concerns raised in the Office Action and might lead to additional delays or complications in the examination process. Thus, a thorough response is the best way to engage with the patent examination process.