What is double-patenting in the context of patent examination?

Double-patenting refers to the practice where an applicant seeks to obtain more than one patent for the same invention or one that is obvious in light of another patent. In this context, the correct answer emphasizes the concern that allowing multiple patents for the same idea or a closely related concept would create legal confusion and undermine the patent system's purpose of incentivizing innovation while ensuring public access to ideas once the patent term expires.

When an applicant files multiple patent applications that claim the same invention, or variations that do not create a meaningful distinction, it can inhibit the public's ability to build upon patented knowledge and may lead to issues in determining the true scope of patent rights. The patent system aims to provide an exclusive right to an inventor for a limited period but does not support an inventor maintaining multiple patents for the same basic concept simultaneously without additional innovation. Hence, the focus is on preventing an applicant from obtaining a second patent that covers essentially the same invention simply because it has been recast in a different form.

The other options provided do not accurately capture the essence of double-patenting. Claiming different inventions in different applications does not fall under the double-patenting doctrine since those inventions are distinct. Similarly, filing multiple applications for the same patent or obtaining patents