MPEP § 2253 — Consideration by Examiner (Annotated Rules)

§2253 Consideration by Examiner

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2253, 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.

Consideration by Examiner

This section addresses Consideration by Examiner. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 304, 37 CFR 1.530, and 37 CFR 1.535. Contains: 1 guidance statement and 3 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

First Action on Merits (FAOM)

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2253-72322baf9d169797beefc525]
Submissions Considered During First Office Action on Merits
Note:
Any properly filed and served submissions in reexamination will be considered by the examiner when preparing the first Office action.

Once reexamination is ordered under 35 U.S.C. 304, any submissions properly filed and served in accordance with 37 CFR 1.530 and 37 CFR 1.535 will be considered by the examiner when preparing the first Office action.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.530First Action on Merits (FAOM)Types of Office ActionsReexamination Order
Topic

New Claims in Reexamination

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2253-68fc20c4382f18cd9e5633ab]
Examiner to Follow Specific Provisions for Considering Patent Owner’s Amendments
Note:
The examiner must follow the provisions of 37 CFR 1.530(d)-(j) when considering any proposed amendments to the specification, including claims, made by the patent owner.

With respect to consideration of any proposed amendments to the specification, including claims, made by the patent owner, the examiner will be guided by the provisions of 37 CFR 1.530(d)-(j). With respect to consideration of the patent owner’s statement, the examiner will be guided by 37 CFR 1.530(c).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.530(d)New Claims in ReexaminationAmendments in ReexaminationPatent Owner Statement
Topic

Amendments in Reexamination

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2253-b3116cb990c7a167e4d15a95]
Examiner Must Follow Patent Owner’s Statement Guidance
Note:
The examiner must follow the guidance provided by 37 CFR 1.530(c) when considering any proposed amendments or statements made by the patent owner.

With respect to consideration of any proposed amendments to the specification, including claims, made by the patent owner, the examiner will be guided by the provisions of 37 CFR 1.530(d)-(j). With respect to consideration of the patent owner’s statement, the examiner will be guided by 37 CFR 1.530(c).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.530(d)Amendments in ReexaminationPatent Owner StatementEx Parte Reexamination
Topic

First Office Action on Merits

1 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2253-cf1a83a1ae9eba30e2ca7cc2]
Examiner Treats New Issues Raised by Third Party in Reexamination Within Scope
Note:
The examiner will treat new issues raised by a third party requester in the reply if they are within the scope of reexamination, guided by 37 CFR 1.535.

As to consideration of a reply by a third party requester, the examiner will be guided by 37 CFR 1.535. If the requester’s reply to the patent owner’s statement raises issues not previously presented, such issues will be treated by the examiner in the Office action if they are within the scope of reexamination. However, if an issue raised by the third party requester in the reply is not within the scope of reexamination, it should be treated pursuant to 37 CFR 1.552(c).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.535First Office Action on MeritsInterviews in ReexaminationOffice Actions in Reexamination

Citations

Primary topicCitation
First Action on Merits (FAOM)35 U.S.C. § 304
First Action on Merits (FAOM)37 CFR § 1.530
Amendments in Reexamination
New Claims in Reexamination
37 CFR § 1.530(c)
Amendments in Reexamination
New Claims in Reexamination
37 CFR § 1.530(d)
First Action on Merits (FAOM)
First Office Action on Merits
37 CFR § 1.535
First Office Action on Merits37 CFR § 1.552(c)
MPEP § 2270

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