What does ‘No Inter Partes Questions Discussed Ex Parte’ mean in patent examination?

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.

In patent examination, ‘No Inter Partes Questions Discussed Ex Parte’ means that an examiner is not allowed to discuss issues involving multiple parties (inter partes) with only one party present (ex parte). The Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) Section 713.06 states:

The examiner may not discuss inter partes questions ex parte with any of the interested parties.

This rule ensures fairness and transparency in the patent examination process by preventing private discussions about matters that involve multiple parties.