<this is a semantical debate:>
If that is the case, why are you arguing so strongly for modified as opposed to amended? It would seem to me that if there were no distinction between the two, wouldn't the USPTO use the words interchangeably? I do not recall ever seeing the word modified in anything I read at the USPTO, but you may correct me if I'm mistaken.
Now the question is.... whether you feel that strongly about defending modified that you will bother to search the USPTO???
GLTA in 2010, Opty