What Kind Codes are associated with AIA trials?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

The America Invents Act (AIA) introduced new types of post-grant proceedings, which are associated with specific Kind Codes. According to the MPEP, these codes are:

• J: Post-Grant Review Certificate
• K: Inter Partes Review Certificate
• O: Derivation Certificate

These Kind Codes are used to identify documents related to the respective AIA trial proceedings. For example, a document with the Kind Code ‘K’ indicates that it is an Inter Partes Review Certificate, which is issued after the completion of an inter partes review proceeding.

It’s important for patent practitioners and researchers to be familiar with these codes when dealing with documents related to AIA trials.