What are the primary responsibilities of a Primary Examiner in the USPTO?

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Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-27 10 Rules 2 Related FAQs 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. A Primary Examiner in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has several key responsibilities, including: Reviewing and approving various actions prepared by assistant examiners Signing official USPTO communications Making final determinations on the patentability of inventions Authorizing Examiner’s Amendments Conducting interviews with applicants or their representatives According to MPEP 1004 , “Primary Examiners are expected to personally check the work of assistant examiners when approving an action to be taken in any application and to personally check the search made by the assistant examiner.” Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse Primary Examiner Must Take Quayle Actions MPEP 1004 Examiner Must Propose Amendments MPEP 1004 Final Requirement for Restriction MPEP 1004 Allowances Must Be Filed With Application MPEP 1004 Request for Suspension of Examiner’s Action Required MPEP 1004 Supervisory Examiner Decisions Must Follow MPEP §1002.02(d) MPEP 1004 Amendments After Final Rejection Must Be Addressed MPEP 1004 Consideration of Patentability Report Advisability MPEP 1004 Requirement for International Preliminary Examination Reports MPEP 1004 Abandonment for Insufficient Reply MPEP 1004 Other Related FAQs 2 FAQs Collapse What is an Examiner&#8217;s Amendment in patent prosecution? How does the USPTO ensure quality control in patent examination?