When is it permissible to file a Notice of Appeal?

Filing a Notice of Appeal is permissible in response to either a first action or a Final Rejection. This process is part of the appeal procedure within the patent examination framework, allowing applicants to contest the decisions made by patent examiners.

When an applicant receives a first action that is not favorable, they have the right to appeal immediately if they disagree with the findings. Similarly, if they receive a Final Rejection, which signifies that the examiner is maintaining their rejection after consideration of previous arguments, an appeal can be pursued. This flexibility ensures that applicants can seek a review of the patentability of their claims at both critical stages of examination.

The other contexts for filing a Notice of Appeal, such as only after a first office action or only in cases with multiple claims, are not accurate because they unnecessarily restrict when an appeal can be initiated. Additionally, filing a Notice of Appeal after a final decision by the Board of Appeal is not a permissible action as once the Board has made a decision, there is no provision for an appeal of that decision; instead, further proceedings would require different avenues such as judicial review.