What authority does the Director of International Patent Legal Administration have over international search reports?
The Director of International Patent Legal Administration has significant authority over matters related to international search reports. This includes:
- Deciding petitions to review the refusal to accord a filing date to an international application
- Deciding matters in international applications related to a refusal to accord an international filing date or a filing date different from the date originally accorded
As stated in MPEP 1002.02(p): “The Director of International Patent Legal Administration decides petitions to review the refusal to accord a filing date to an international application and decides matters in international applications relating to according a filing date or to a refusal to accord an international filing date or a filing date different from the date originally accorded.”
This authority ensures that international applications are properly processed and that applicants have recourse if they disagree with decisions regarding filing dates.
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