[Editor Note: This chapter was not substantively revised for the Ninth Edition of the MPEP. Each section has a revision indicator of “[R-08.2012],” meaning that the section as reproduced in this Edition is the version in force in August 2012 with the following exceptions: 1) As a result of the publication process, form paragraphs reproduced in this chapter reflect the text used by examiners effective November 2013 rather than those in force in August 2012; 2) The marks indicating added or deleted text from prior revisions have been removed; and 3) The notation “[Reserved]” has been added for section numbers previously missing in the hierarchy (i.e., section numbers that were never used or no longer have text). See the ninth revision of the Eighth Edition of the MPEP published August 2012 as posted on the USPTO Web site on the MPEP Archives page (http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ pac/mpep/old/index.htm) for the text of form paragraphs in force in August 2012 and the prior revision marks.]