Duplicate Copies of Correspondence

37 CFR 1.4  Nature of correspondence and signature requirements.

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(b) Since each file must be complete in itself, a separate copy of

every paper to be filed in a patent, patent file, or other proceeding must be

furnished for each file to which the paper pertains, even though the contents

of the papers filed in two or more files may be identical. The filing of

duplicate copies of correspondence in the file of an application, patent, or

other proceeding should be avoided, except in situations in which the Office

requires the filing of duplicate copies. The Office may dispose of duplicate

copies of correspondence in the file of an application, patent, or other

proceeding.

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When the Office does not require duplicate copies of a paper, the filing

of multiple copies may cause a delay in processing by the Office. Accordingly, the

Office may discard duplicate copies of correspondence filed in an application or patent

file.