What are the general guidelines for conducting interviews in patent applications?
The general guidelines for conducting interviews in patent applications are outlined in MPEP 713.01. Key points include:
- Interviews must be conducted on Office premises and within Office hours, as designated by examiners.
- Interviews for discussing patentability typically won’t occur before the first Office action, unless it’s a continuing or substitute application.
- Face-to-face interviews may be accomplished via video conferencing or in-person.
- In-person interviews should normally be granted and conducted on Office premises during normal business hours.
- Video conferencing interviews should be offered when in-person meetings are not possible.
As stated in the MPEP: “A request for a face-to-face interview will normally be granted. Other times, a telephone interview provides an appropriate level of interaction.”
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