MPEP § 2763 — Limitation of Third-Party Participation (Annotated Rules)

§2763 Limitation of Third-Party Participation

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2763, 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.

Limitation of Third-Party Participation

This section addresses Limitation of Third-Party Participation. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.765(d) and 37 CFR 1.765. Contains: 1 permission and 4 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Individuals Under Duty

3 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2763-cd88f606e86ad0d61658c819]
No Third-Party Submissions Allowed
Note:
Patent term extension proceedings in the Office are ex parte matters, prohibiting submissions by or on behalf of third parties without Director's invitation.

Although the statute specifically provides for public input into the determination of the regulatory review period, i.e., the filing of a due diligence petition before the regulatory agency, no such provision was made for proceedings before the Office. Since applicant already has a duty of disclosure to both the Office and the regulatory agency, and Congress expected that it would be an administratively simple proceeding, no input from third parties is permitted. Absent an invitation from the Director, any such submission would be inappropriate. Accordingly, 37 CFR 1.765(d) precludes submissions to the Office by or on behalf of third parties, thereby making patent term extension proceedings in the Office an ex parte matter between the patent owner or its agent and the Office. Submissions by third parties not requested by the Office will be returned, or otherwise disposed of, without consideration. See In re Dubno, 12 USPQ2d 1153, 1154 (Comm’r Pat. & Tm. 1989).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.765(d)Individuals Under DutyDuty of Disclosure in PTEPatent Term Extension
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2763-581e0c1fb35cedbd643fbebf]
No Third-Party Input Allowed Without Office Request
Note:
Submissions by third parties not requested by the Office will be returned without consideration in patent term extension proceedings.

Although the statute specifically provides for public input into the determination of the regulatory review period, i.e., the filing of a due diligence petition before the regulatory agency, no such provision was made for proceedings before the Office. Since applicant already has a duty of disclosure to both the Office and the regulatory agency, and Congress expected that it would be an administratively simple proceeding, no input from third parties is permitted. Absent an invitation from the Director, any such submission would be inappropriate. Accordingly, 37 CFR 1.765(d) precludes submissions to the Office by or on behalf of third parties, thereby making patent term extension proceedings in the Office an ex parte matter between the patent owner or its agent and the Office. Submissions by third parties not requested by the Office will be returned, or otherwise disposed of, without consideration. See In re Dubno, 12 USPQ2d 1153, 1154 (Comm’r Pat. & Tm. 1989).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.765(d)Individuals Under DutyPTE CalculationPTE Determination Procedure
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2763-ab7ccaa742be0540abb226dd]
No Third Party Submissions Allowed
Note:
Patent term extension proceedings in the Office are an ex parte matter between the patent owner and the Office, prohibiting submissions by or on behalf of third parties without invitation.

Although the statute specifically provides for public input into the determination of the regulatory review period, i.e., the filing of a due diligence petition before the regulatory agency, no such provision was made for proceedings before the Office. Since applicant already has a duty of disclosure to both the Office and the regulatory agency, and Congress expected that it would be an administratively simple proceeding, no input from third parties is permitted. Absent an invitation from the Director, any such submission would be inappropriate. Accordingly, 37 CFR 1.765(d) precludes submissions to the Office by or on behalf of third parties, thereby making patent term extension proceedings in the Office an ex parte matter between the patent owner or its agent and the Office. Submissions by third parties not requested by the Office will be returned, or otherwise disposed of, without consideration. See In re Dubno, 12 USPQ2d 1153, 1154 (Comm’r Pat. & Tm. 1989).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.765(d)Individuals Under DutyPTE CalculationPTE Determination Procedure
Topic

PTE Calculation

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2763-2c7dbf0f41da955229306f87]
No Third Party Input Allowed in PTE Proceedings
Note:
Patent term extension proceedings before the Office do not permit third-party submissions unless requested by the Director.

Although the statute specifically provides for public input into the determination of the regulatory review period, i.e., the filing of a due diligence petition before the regulatory agency, no such provision was made for proceedings before the Office. Since applicant already has a duty of disclosure to both the Office and the regulatory agency, and Congress expected that it would be an administratively simple proceeding, no input from third parties is permitted. Absent an invitation from the Director, any such submission would be inappropriate. Accordingly, 37 CFR 1.765(d) precludes submissions to the Office by or on behalf of third parties, thereby making patent term extension proceedings in the Office an ex parte matter between the patent owner or its agent and the Office. Submissions by third parties not requested by the Office will be returned, or otherwise disposed of, without consideration. See In re Dubno, 12 USPQ2d 1153, 1154 (Comm’r Pat. & Tm. 1989).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.765(d)PTE CalculationPTE Determination ProcedurePatent Term Extension
Topic

Duty of Disclosure in PTE

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2763-c5120cb000517dca025786bb]
No Third-Party Input in PTE Proceedings
Note:
Patent term extension proceedings do not permit third-party submissions unless invited by the Director, ensuring ex parte proceedings between the patent owner and the Office.

Although the statute specifically provides for public input into the determination of the regulatory review period, i.e., the filing of a due diligence petition before the regulatory agency, no such provision was made for proceedings before the Office. Since applicant already has a duty of disclosure to both the Office and the regulatory agency, and Congress expected that it would be an administratively simple proceeding, no input from third parties is permitted. Absent an invitation from the Director, any such submission would be inappropriate. Accordingly, 37 CFR 1.765(d) precludes submissions to the Office by or on behalf of third parties, thereby making patent term extension proceedings in the Office an ex parte matter between the patent owner or its agent and the Office. Submissions by third parties not requested by the Office will be returned, or otherwise disposed of, without consideration. See In re Dubno, 12 USPQ2d 1153, 1154 (Comm’r Pat. & Tm. 1989).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.765(d)Duty of Disclosure in PTEDuty of Disclosure FundamentalsDuty of Disclosure

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Duty of Disclosure in PTE
Individuals Under Duty
PTE Calculation
37 CFR § 1.765(d)

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