What petitions can Supervisory Patent Examiners (SPEs) decide?
Supervisory Patent Examiners (SPEs) have the authority to decide certain petitions related to the patent examination process. According to MPEP 1002.02(d), SPEs can decide:
- Petitions for extension of time in reexamination proceedings pending in their art unit
- Petitions under 37 CFR 1.84 to accept color drawings or photographs
- Petitions to withdraw holding of abandonment where the evidence requires no judgment on the merits or law
- Petitions for express abandonment to avoid publication of the application
SPEs play a crucial role in managing the day-to-day operations of patent examination and handling certain procedural matters efficiently.
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