How do intervening rights in inter partes reexamination compare to those in reissue patents?
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.
Intervening rights in inter partes reexamination are essentially the same as those for reissue patents. The MPEP 2693 clearly states:
“The situation of intervening rights resulting from inter partes reexamination proceedings parallels the intervening rights situation resulting from reissue patents or from ex parte reexamination proceedings. The rights detailed in 35 U.S.C. 252 for reissue apply equally in reexamination and reissue situations.“
This means that the legal principles and protections established for intervening rights in reissue patents are also applicable to patents that have undergone inter partes reexamination.