Replying to an Office Action
Amendments are always acceptable after the first or second Office Action. In addition, they may also be accepted even before the first Office Action has ever been mailed (these are known as a preliminary amendments), provided certain conditions are met.
Although it may be unsettling, receiving an Office Action after filing a patent application is highly common. It is far less common to have an examiner allow a patent application without sending out at least one Office Action. Consider yourself lucky if your application ever acheives this rare feat.
There is a time limit to replying to an Office Action that must be met. That coupled with the complexity of patent law are two valid reasons for using a patent attorney or agent familiar with your invention. It is highly advised to hire and secure a patent attorney or agent before you file the patent application and keep in contact with them over the months until you receive further correspondence concerning your application.
A professional patent attorney or agent will be your best bet in attempting to overcome the rejections presented in an Office Action.
