MPEP § 2241 — Time for Deciding Request Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 (Annotated Rules)

§2241 Time for Deciding Request Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2025-12-31

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2241, 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.

Time for Deciding Request Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302

This section addresses Time for Deciding Request Filed under 35 U.S.C. 302. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 303(a) and 37 CFR 1.515(a). Contains: 2 requirements, 1 permission, and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

Ex Parte Reexamination

3 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2241-a955eb8a6eb3167c4a4380a0]
Determination Must Be Mailed by Preceding Business Day If 3-Month Period Ends on Holiday
Note:
If the 3-month period for deciding a reexamination request ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday in DC, the determination must be mailed by the preceding business day.

The determination of whether or not to reexamine must be made within 3 months following the filing date of a request. See 35 U.S.C. 303(a) and 37 CFR 1.515(a). If the 3-month period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday within the District of Columbia, then the determination must be mailed by the preceding business day. See the last portion of MPEP § 2240 and also see MPEP § 2283 for multiple copending reexamination proceedings. A determination to reexamine may be made at any time during the period of enforceability of a patent.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.515(a)Ex Parte ReexaminationSNQ CriteriaSubstantial New Question of Patentability
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2241-ebc009f904e78a527e42b93f]
Determination to Reexamine Must Be Made Within 3 Months
Note:
The requirement for making a determination on reexamination within 3 months of the request filing date must be followed, with adjustments for weekends and holidays.

The determination of whether or not to reexamine must be made within 3 months following the filing date of a request. See 35 U.S.C. 303(a) and 37 CFR 1.515(a). If the 3-month period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday within the District of Columbia, then the determination must be mailed by the preceding business day. See the last portion of MPEP § 2240 and also see MPEP § 2283 for multiple copending reexamination proceedings. A determination to reexamine may be made at any time during the period of enforceability of a patent.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.515(a)Ex Parte ReexaminationSNQ CriteriaSubstantial New Question of Patentability
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2241-ba9fda5a76a5e3ea95aec5d4]
Determination to Reexamine at Any Time During Patent Enforceability Period
Note:
A determination to initiate reexamination can be made anytime during the patent's enforceable period.

The determination of whether or not to reexamine must be made within 3 months following the filing date of a request. See 35 U.S.C. 303(a) and 37 CFR 1.515(a). If the 3-month period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday within the District of Columbia, then the determination must be mailed by the preceding business day. See the last portion of MPEP § 2240 and also see MPEP § 2283 for multiple copending reexamination proceedings. A determination to reexamine may be made at any time during the period of enforceability of a patent.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.515(a)Ex Parte ReexaminationSNQ CriteriaSubstantial New Question of Patentability
Topic

SNQ Criteria

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2241-976dd14966dbe8660cf61929]
Determination for Reexamination Must Be Made Within 3 Months
Note:
The determination to reexamine a patent must be made within 3 months of the request filing date, with adjustments for weekends and holidays.

The determination of whether or not to reexamine must be made within 3 months following the filing date of a request. See 35 U.S.C. 303(a) and 37 CFR 1.515(a). If the 3-month period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday within the District of Columbia, then the determination must be mailed by the preceding business day. See the last portion of MPEP § 2240 and also see MPEP § 2283 for multiple copending reexamination proceedings. A determination to reexamine may be made at any time during the period of enforceability of a patent.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.515(a)SNQ CriteriaSubstantial New Question of PatentabilityEx Parte Reexamination

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Ex Parte Reexamination
SNQ Criteria
35 U.S.C. § 303(a)
Ex Parte Reexamination
SNQ Criteria
37 CFR § 1.515(a)
Ex Parte Reexamination
SNQ Criteria
MPEP § 2240
Ex Parte Reexamination
SNQ Criteria
MPEP § 2283

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.

BlueIron Last Updated: 2025-12-31