How are Office actions mailed in ex parte reexamination proceedings?
In ex parte reexamination proceedings, Office actions are mailed using structured forms that include identifying information for the reexamination file and the correspondence address for the patent owner. The MPEP states:
“Ex parte reexamination forms are structured so that the identifying information for the reexamination file and the correspondence address for the patent owner, which is the official correspondence address of record in the file of the patent requested to be reexamined, can be printed on the forms.”
The official correspondence address is typically the mailing address of the patent owner’s legal representative. If there’s no official correspondence address on record, the Office may use the patent owner’s mailing address as the correspondence address.
For third-party requesters in ex parte reexamination, a transmittal form PTOL-465 is used to provide them with copies of each Office action.
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