What action can be taken to keep an application alive after receiving a "Final" Office Action?

Filing a Notice of Appeal is the action that keeps an application alive after receiving a "Final" Office Action. When an applicant receives a final rejection, they have the right to appeal the decision made by the examiner. Submitting a Notice of Appeal initiates the appeal process before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). This action indicates the applicant's intention to contest the decision and allows them to seek further consideration of the patentability of their claims.

In circumstances where a Final Office Action has been issued, the option to appeal is crucial because it can lead to a more favorable outcome if the PTAB disagrees with the examiner's findings. It is a formalized method of seeking review and potentially overcoming the objections raised in the Office Action.

While there are other actions available, such as submitting new drawings or requesting a reexamination, these do not serve the same purpose as an appeal. Instead, they might not address the finality of the rejection effectively or could require the applicant to start over in certain respects. Therefore, filing a Notice of Appeal is specifically designed to challenge the Final Office Action and maintain the course of the application.