What do you need to file a Request for Continued Examination (RCE)?

To file a Request for Continued Examination (RCE), it is necessary to submit a request accompanied by the required fee, as well as a showing of new matter or amendments to the existing claims. This process allows an applicant to continue prosecution of a patent application after it has been closed, typically following a final rejection.

The inclusion of something new or an amendment is critical because it provides the examination staff with additional context or changes from the previous submission, thereby justifying the continuation of the examination process. The new information can help to overcome prior rejections based on earlier submissions or provide clarification in light of the examiner’s prior findings.

The other options presented do not fully capture the requirements for an RCE. For example, simply having an appeal or stating reasons for continuation without new evidence or amendments would not meet the filing requirements. Thus, the complete combination of a request, fee, and something new is what enables the applicant to seek further examination under the RCE process.