How should USPTO personnel handle inquiries from third parties about supplemental examination?

USPTO personnel should not engage in discussions with third parties regarding specific supplemental examination proceedings. The MPEP 2803.01 states: “Office personnel, including both the examining and the technical support staff, should not enter into a discussion with, or answer inquiries from, third parties (i.e., parties who are not the patent owner) regarding a supplemental examination proceeding.” Instead, third parties should be referred to the Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) Supervisory Patent Reexamination Specialist (SPRS) in the art unit of the assigned examiner. The CRU SPRS may only discuss general procedural matters, not specific cases.

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• USPTO personnel
• third party inquiries
• supplemental examination
• patent procedures