MPEP § 2212 — Persons Who May File a Request for Ex Parte Reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302 (Annotated Rules)
§2212 Persons Who May File a Request for Ex Parte Reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302
This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2212, including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.
Persons Who May File a Request for Ex Parte Reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302
This section addresses Persons Who May File a Request for Ex Parte Reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1), 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1), and 35 U.S.C. 1.20(c)(1). Contains: 2 prohibitions, 2 permissions, and 5 other statements.
Key Rules
Reissue and Reexamination
35 U.S.C. 302 and 37 CFR 1.510(a) both indicate that “any person” may file a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent, unless prohibited by AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1). Accordingly, there are no types of “persons” who are excluded from being able to seek reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302. Corporations and/or governmental entities are included within the scope of the term “any person.” The only “person” who is barred from filing a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent under 35 U.S.C. 302 is one who is barred from doing so by the estoppel provisions of AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1) based on inter partes review and post grant review, respectively, once the estoppel attaches. The patent owner can ask for reexamination which will be limited to an ex parte consideration of prior art patents or printed publications. If the patent owner wishes to have a wider consideration of issues by the Office, including matters such as prior public use or on sale, the patent owner may file a reissue application (see, e.g., MPEP § 1401 – § 1403), or, where appropriate, a supplemental examination proceeding (see, e.g., MPEP § 2801 – § 2803). It is also possible for the Director of the Office to initiate reexamination on the Director’s own initiative under 37 CFR 1.520. Some of the persons likely to use reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302 are patentees, licensees, potential licensees, attorneys without identification of their real client in interest, infringers, potential exporters, patent litigants, interference applicants, and International Trade Commission respondents. The name of the person who files the request will not be maintained in confidence.
35 U.S.C. 302 and 37 CFR 1.510(a) both indicate that “any person” may file a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent, unless prohibited by AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1). Accordingly, there are no types of “persons” who are excluded from being able to seek reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302. Corporations and/or governmental entities are included within the scope of the term “any person.” The only “person” who is barred from filing a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent under 35 U.S.C. 302 is one who is barred from doing so by the estoppel provisions of AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1) based on inter partes review and post grant review, respectively, once the estoppel attaches. The patent owner can ask for reexamination which will be limited to an ex parte consideration of prior art patents or printed publications. If the patent owner wishes to have a wider consideration of issues by the Office, including matters such as prior public use or on sale, the patent owner may file a reissue application (see, e.g., MPEP § 1401 – § 1403), or, where appropriate, a supplemental examination proceeding (see, e.g., MPEP § 2801 – § 2803). It is also possible for the Director of the Office to initiate reexamination on the Director’s own initiative under 37 CFR 1.520. Some of the persons likely to use reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302 are patentees, licensees, potential licensees, attorneys without identification of their real client in interest, infringers, potential exporters, patent litigants, interference applicants, and International Trade Commission respondents. The name of the person who files the request will not be maintained in confidence.
35 U.S.C. 302 and 37 CFR 1.510(a) both indicate that “any person” may file a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent, unless prohibited by AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1). Accordingly, there are no types of “persons” who are excluded from being able to seek reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302. Corporations and/or governmental entities are included within the scope of the term “any person.” The only “person” who is barred from filing a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent under 35 U.S.C. 302 is one who is barred from doing so by the estoppel provisions of AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1) based on inter partes review and post grant review, respectively, once the estoppel attaches. The patent owner can ask for reexamination which will be limited to an ex parte consideration of prior art patents or printed publications. If the patent owner wishes to have a wider consideration of issues by the Office, including matters such as prior public use or on sale, the patent owner may file a reissue application (see, e.g., MPEP § 1401 – § 1403), or, where appropriate, a supplemental examination proceeding (see, e.g., MPEP § 2801 – § 2803). It is also possible for the Director of the Office to initiate reexamination on the Director’s own initiative under 37 CFR 1.520. Some of the persons likely to use reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302 are patentees, licensees, potential licensees, attorneys without identification of their real client in interest, infringers, potential exporters, patent litigants, interference applicants, and International Trade Commission respondents. The name of the person who files the request will not be maintained in confidence.
Inter Partes Review (IPR)
35 U.S.C. 302 and 37 CFR 1.510(a) both indicate that “any person” may file a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent, unless prohibited by AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1). Accordingly, there are no types of “persons” who are excluded from being able to seek reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302. Corporations and/or governmental entities are included within the scope of the term “any person.” The only “person” who is barred from filing a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent under 35 U.S.C. 302 is one who is barred from doing so by the estoppel provisions of AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1) based on inter partes review and post grant review, respectively, once the estoppel attaches. The patent owner can ask for reexamination which will be limited to an ex parte consideration of prior art patents or printed publications. If the patent owner wishes to have a wider consideration of issues by the Office, including matters such as prior public use or on sale, the patent owner may file a reissue application (see, e.g., MPEP § 1401 – § 1403), or, where appropriate, a supplemental examination proceeding (see, e.g., MPEP § 2801 – § 2803). It is also possible for the Director of the Office to initiate reexamination on the Director’s own initiative under 37 CFR 1.520. Some of the persons likely to use reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302 are patentees, licensees, potential licensees, attorneys without identification of their real client in interest, infringers, potential exporters, patent litigants, interference applicants, and International Trade Commission respondents. The name of the person who files the request will not be maintained in confidence.
35 U.S.C. 302 and 37 CFR 1.510(a) both indicate that “any person” may file a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent, unless prohibited by AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1). Accordingly, there are no types of “persons” who are excluded from being able to seek reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302. Corporations and/or governmental entities are included within the scope of the term “any person.” The only “person” who is barred from filing a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent under 35 U.S.C. 302 is one who is barred from doing so by the estoppel provisions of AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1) based on inter partes review and post grant review, respectively, once the estoppel attaches. The patent owner can ask for reexamination which will be limited to an ex parte consideration of prior art patents or printed publications. If the patent owner wishes to have a wider consideration of issues by the Office, including matters such as prior public use or on sale, the patent owner may file a reissue application (see, e.g., MPEP § 1401 – § 1403), or, where appropriate, a supplemental examination proceeding (see, e.g., MPEP § 2801 – § 2803). It is also possible for the Director of the Office to initiate reexamination on the Director’s own initiative under 37 CFR 1.520. Some of the persons likely to use reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302 are patentees, licensees, potential licensees, attorneys without identification of their real client in interest, infringers, potential exporters, patent litigants, interference applicants, and International Trade Commission respondents. The name of the person who files the request will not be maintained in confidence.
35 U.S.C. 302 and 37 CFR 1.510(a) both indicate that “any person” may file a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent, unless prohibited by AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1). Accordingly, there are no types of “persons” who are excluded from being able to seek reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302. Corporations and/or governmental entities are included within the scope of the term “any person.” The only “person” who is barred from filing a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent under 35 U.S.C. 302 is one who is barred from doing so by the estoppel provisions of AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1) based on inter partes review and post grant review, respectively, once the estoppel attaches. The patent owner can ask for reexamination which will be limited to an ex parte consideration of prior art patents or printed publications. If the patent owner wishes to have a wider consideration of issues by the Office, including matters such as prior public use or on sale, the patent owner may file a reissue application (see, e.g., MPEP § 1401 – § 1403), or, where appropriate, a supplemental examination proceeding (see, e.g., MPEP § 2801 – § 2803). It is also possible for the Director of the Office to initiate reexamination on the Director’s own initiative under 37 CFR 1.520. Some of the persons likely to use reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302 are patentees, licensees, potential licensees, attorneys without identification of their real client in interest, infringers, potential exporters, patent litigants, interference applicants, and International Trade Commission respondents. The name of the person who files the request will not be maintained in confidence.
Request by Patent Owner
35 U.S.C. 302 and 37 CFR 1.510(a) both indicate that “any person” may file a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent, unless prohibited by AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1). Accordingly, there are no types of “persons” who are excluded from being able to seek reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302. Corporations and/or governmental entities are included within the scope of the term “any person.” The only “person” who is barred from filing a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent under 35 U.S.C. 302 is one who is barred from doing so by the estoppel provisions of AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1) based on inter partes review and post grant review, respectively, once the estoppel attaches. The patent owner can ask for reexamination which will be limited to an ex parte consideration of prior art patents or printed publications. If the patent owner wishes to have a wider consideration of issues by the Office, including matters such as prior public use or on sale, the patent owner may file a reissue application (see, e.g., MPEP § 1401 – § 1403), or, where appropriate, a supplemental examination proceeding (see, e.g., MPEP § 2801 – § 2803). It is also possible for the Director of the Office to initiate reexamination on the Director’s own initiative under 37 CFR 1.520. Some of the persons likely to use reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302 are patentees, licensees, potential licensees, attorneys without identification of their real client in interest, infringers, potential exporters, patent litigants, interference applicants, and International Trade Commission respondents. The name of the person who files the request will not be maintained in confidence.
35 U.S.C. 302 and 37 CFR 1.510(a) both indicate that “any person” may file a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent, unless prohibited by AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1). Accordingly, there are no types of “persons” who are excluded from being able to seek reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302. Corporations and/or governmental entities are included within the scope of the term “any person.” The only “person” who is barred from filing a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent under 35 U.S.C. 302 is one who is barred from doing so by the estoppel provisions of AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1) based on inter partes review and post grant review, respectively, once the estoppel attaches. The patent owner can ask for reexamination which will be limited to an ex parte consideration of prior art patents or printed publications. If the patent owner wishes to have a wider consideration of issues by the Office, including matters such as prior public use or on sale, the patent owner may file a reissue application (see, e.g., MPEP § 1401 – § 1403), or, where appropriate, a supplemental examination proceeding (see, e.g., MPEP § 2801 – § 2803). It is also possible for the Director of the Office to initiate reexamination on the Director’s own initiative under 37 CFR 1.520. Some of the persons likely to use reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302 are patentees, licensees, potential licensees, attorneys without identification of their real client in interest, infringers, potential exporters, patent litigants, interference applicants, and International Trade Commission respondents. The name of the person who files the request will not be maintained in confidence.
Request Content Requirements
(a) Any person may, at any time during the period of enforceability of a patent, file a request for an ex parte reexamination by the Office of any claim of the patent on the basis of prior art patents or printed publications cited under § 1.501, unless prohibited by 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1). The request must be accompanied by the fee for requesting reexamination set in § 1.20(c)(1).
Reexamination Filing Fee
(a) Any person may, at any time during the period of enforceability of a patent, file a request for an ex parte reexamination by the Office of any claim of the patent on the basis of prior art patents or printed publications cited under § 1.501, unless prohibited by 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1). The request must be accompanied by the fee for requesting reexamination set in § 1.20(c)(1).
Citations
| Primary topic | Citation |
|---|---|
| Inter Partes Review (IPR) Reissue and Reexamination Request by Patent Owner | 35 U.S.C. § 1403 |
| Inter Partes Review (IPR) Reissue and Reexamination Request by Patent Owner | 35 U.S.C. § 2803 |
| Inter Partes Review (IPR) Reissue and Reexamination Request by Patent Owner | 35 U.S.C. § 302 |
| Inter Partes Review (IPR) Reexamination Filing Fee Reissue and Reexamination Request Content Requirements Request by Patent Owner | 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(1) |
| Inter Partes Review (IPR) Reexamination Filing Fee Reissue and Reexamination Request Content Requirements Request by Patent Owner | 35 U.S.C. § 325(e)(1) |
| Reexamination Filing Fee Request Content Requirements | 37 CFR § 1.20(c)(1) |
| Reexamination Filing Fee Request Content Requirements | 37 CFR § 1.501 |
| Inter Partes Review (IPR) Reissue and Reexamination Request by Patent Owner | 37 CFR § 1.510(a) |
| Inter Partes Review (IPR) Reissue and Reexamination Request by Patent Owner | 37 CFR § 1.520 |
| Inter Partes Review (IPR) Reissue and Reexamination Request by Patent Owner | MPEP § 1401 |
| Inter Partes Review (IPR) Reissue and Reexamination Request by Patent Owner | MPEP § 2801 |
Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP
This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.
Official MPEP § 2212 — Persons Who May File a Request for Ex Parte Reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302
Source: USPTO2212 Persons Who May File a Request for Ex Parte Reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302 [R-07.2015]
37 CFR 1.510 Request for ex parte reexamination.
- (a) Any person may, at any time during the period of enforceability of a patent, file a request for an ex parte reexamination by the Office of any claim of the patent on the basis of prior art patents or printed publications cited under § 1.501, unless prohibited by 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1). The request must be accompanied by the fee for requesting reexamination set in § 1.20(c)(1).
*****
35 U.S.C. 302 and 37 CFR 1.510(a) both indicate that “any person” may file a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent, unless prohibited by AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1). Accordingly, there are no types of “persons” who are excluded from being able to seek reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302. Corporations and/or governmental entities are included within the scope of the term “any person.” The only “person” who is barred from filing a request for ex parte reexamination of a patent under 35 U.S.C. 302 is one who is barred from doing so by the estoppel provisions of AIA 35 U.S.C. 315(e)(1) or 35 U.S.C. 325(e)(1) based on inter partes review and post grant review, respectively, once the estoppel attaches. The patent owner can ask for reexamination which will be limited to an ex parte consideration of prior art patents or printed publications. If the patent owner wishes to have a wider consideration of issues by the Office, including matters such as prior public use or on sale, the patent owner may file a reissue application (see, e.g., MPEP § 1401 – § 1403), or, where appropriate, a supplemental examination proceeding (see, e.g., MPEP § 2801 – § 2803). It is also possible for the Director of the Office to initiate reexamination on the Director’s own initiative under 37 CFR 1.520. Some of the persons likely to use reexamination under 35 U.S.C. 302 are patentees, licensees, potential licensees, attorneys without identification of their real client in interest, infringers, potential exporters, patent litigants, interference applicants, and International Trade Commission respondents. The name of the person who files the request will not be maintained in confidence.