Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 11-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Claims 11-12 are an improper Markush group selected from an open list of alternatives. See MPEP 2173.05(h).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-10, 13-20 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Hausmann teaches a method for the selective removal of an inhibitor (blocking reagent) (Fig. 1), but not between two dielectric areas or a dielectric and hardmask. The selective chemistry of Hausmann relies on dielectric and metal surfaces [0047]. Liu teaches selective passivation of two dielectric areas (Fig. 1), but not by removal using a reaction auxiliary agent. Abelson is provided for a definition of “selective” (16:42-67) in this context and known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ALEX A ROLLAND whose telephone number is (571)270-5355. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 10-6:30.
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/ALEX A ROLLAND/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1759
