What is the limit for independent claims allowed in accelerated examination?

In accelerated examination, the limit for independent claims is specifically set at three. This limitation is in place to streamline the examination process. The accelerated examination program is designed to provide a faster review of applications that meet certain criteria, such as the number of claims and the quality of the prior art search performed by the applicant.

By limiting independent claims to three, the USPTO aims to maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of the examination process. This restriction helps ensure that the claims are adequately examined within the expedited timeline, as independent claims tend to require more thorough and nuanced examination compared to dependent claims. The program encourages applicants to focus on the most critical aspects of their inventions while still providing sufficient scope for protection.

The other options exceed this limit, making them inapplicable given the guidelines established for accelerated examination. Adhering to the three independent claim constraint ensures the process remains manageable for patent examiners and expedites the overall examination timeline for applicants participating in this program.