Which of the following must be included in an Appeal Brief?

The requirement for including a summary of claimed subject matter for each independent claim in an Appeal Brief is grounded in the need for clarity and understanding of the claims at issue. This summary helps the examiner and other reviewers grasp the essential features of the claims being appealed, ensuring that everyone is focused on the specific points of contention during the appeal process.

This requirement is important as it allows the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) to understand the basis of the appeal and the claims' relevance to the rejections being challenged. It serves to highlight the distinctions between the claimed invention and the prior art, thus facilitating a more efficient examination of the issues.

While a list of related patents or evidence supporting the claims can be relevant in different contexts, they are not mandatory elements of the Appeal Brief. Similarly, the applicant's signature is a procedural requirement but does not encapsulate the core information necessary for assessing the merits of the appeal. Thus, the correct answer focuses on providing a clear summary so that the reviewing body can properly evaluate the appeal.