If an examiner suggests an amendment over the phone, what is still required from the applicant?

The correct answer is that the applicant must file an amendment request. While examiners may provide suggestions for amendments during phone conversations and this can facilitate the examination process, any proposed amendments must be formally documented and submitted according to the rules set forth by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

A suggestion from an examiner does not automatically alter the status of the application. Therefore, the applicant must submit a formal amendment request to ensure that the changes are officially recognized and processed as part of the patent application. This requirement ensures clarity and proper record-keeping within the examination process.

Although the idea of an extension fee might initially seem relevant if there is a delay in responding to the examination process, it does not directly apply here. The need for filing an amendment request is the pivotal action an applicant must take following any suggestions from an examiner.