What is a limitation on an applicant's right to amend claims after a final rejection?

After a final rejection, the ability for an applicant to amend claims is indeed limited primarily due to the desire to expedite the patent examination process. In most cases, amendments to claims after a final rejection are significantly restricted, as the focus shifts towards either appealing the rejection or addressing specific issues pointed out by the examiner.

In practice, the applicant may only make amendments if they are necessary to overcome the rejection, and these amendments must be accompanied by a detailed explanation illustrating how they address the examiner's objections. This careful control helps maintain the efficiency of the examination process while ensuring that amendments are meaningful and relevant to the claims being examined.

The other options suggest broader capabilities for amending claims than what is typically allowed post-final rejection, which do not align with the practices set forth by the patent office. This limitation on amendments is key to maintaining order and clarity in the patent examination process.