Both Dennis Crouch and Stephen Albainy-Jenei have posted excellent summaries of the Tafas v. Doll case. If you’re looking for more information on this complex case – and the uncertain future of the proposed rules that would limit continuations, Requests for Continued Examination, and claims – be sure to check out both the Patent Baristas post and the PatentlyO post.

As I’ve re-read the case several times, Judge Bryson’s concurring opinion continues to draw my attention. His open wondering about the ability of the Office to limit serially-filed continuations is very interesting…especially when considered in light of the Office’s recent efforts to explore the possibility of implementing a deferred examination system.

Could a deferred examination system that allows an applicant to file, in parallel, several continuations while the original application remains pending provide a compromise to the competing concerns over late-filed continuations and an applicant’s ability to claim that which he disclosed?