What are the limitations on protestor participation in patent examinations?

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Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-30 8 Rules 5 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. Protestor participation in patent examinations is subject to significant limitations. According to MPEP § 1906 , these restrictions include: Inability to appeal an examiner’s adverse decision to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board Finality of an examiner’s decision adverse to a protestor Prohibition on petitioning the Director against an adverse decision These limitations are part of the “ restricted protestor participation permitted under 37 CFR 1.291(d) ” and are designed to maintain the efficiency of the patent examination process while still allowing for limited third-party input. Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 8 rules Collapse Examiner Adverse Decision Final and Non-Petitionable MPEP 1906 Permitted Protestor Cannot Appeal Adverse Examiner Decision MPEP 1906 Prohibited Review Body Can Include Decision Maker MPEP 1850 Prohibited Office Action Not Sent to Protestor MPEP 1901.06 Requirement for Additional Information on Protest Issues MPEP 1901.06 Permitted Inadequate Protest Identification Not Entertained MPEP 1901 Prohibited Insufficient Information for Protest Matching MPEP 1901 Prohibited Petition to Delay Reissue Examination MPEP 1901.04 Recommended Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse Is an examiner&#8217;s decision adverse to a protestor final? Can a protestor appeal an examiner&#8217;s adverse decision to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board? What options does a protestor have after an adverse examiner decision? Can a protestor petition the Director against an examiner&#8217;s adverse decision? How does 37 CFR 1.501(a) relate to other post-grant proceedings?