MPEP § 2814 — Interviews Are Prohibited (Annotated Rules)

§2814 Interviews Are Prohibited

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2814, 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.

Interviews Are Prohibited

This section addresses Interviews Are Prohibited. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 257, 37 CFR 1.620(e), and 37 CFR 1.560. Contains: 1 permission and 7 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Reexamination Order

7 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2814-15eabd439ded6fa52a3c5ae7]
Interviews Prohibited During Supplemental Examination Proceedings
Note:
This rule prohibits interviews in supplemental examination proceedings to ensure timely processing within the statutory period.

37 CFR 1.620(e) prohibits interviews in a supplemental examination proceeding. This requirement will assist the Office to process the request for supplemental examination within the three-month statutory period. Any paper requesting an interview that is filed in a supplemental examination proceeding is an unauthorized paper, and will be expunged from the file if inadvertently entered. A telephone call to the Office to confirm receipt of a request for supplemental examination, or to discuss general procedural questions, is not considered to be an interview for the purposes of this provision. This prohibition against interviews applies only to supplemental examination proceedings. Interviews conducted in connection with any ex parte reexamination ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257 as a result of the supplemental examination proceeding are governed by the regulations governing ex parte reexamination proceedings. See, e.g., 37 CFR 1.560. Specifically, interviews are generally permitted to discuss issues of patentability, which are directly addressed during any ex parte reexamination proceeding ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257, and not during the supplemental examination proceeding.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.620(e)Reexamination OrderEx Parte ReexaminationSupplemental Examination
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2814-8433074345e80b29fce0560c]
Requirement for Processing Supplemental Examination Within Three-Month Period
Note:
This rule ensures the Office processes requests for supplemental examination within the statutory three-month period by prohibiting interviews and expunging unauthorized papers.

37 CFR 1.620(e) prohibits interviews in a supplemental examination proceeding. This requirement will assist the Office to process the request for supplemental examination within the three-month statutory period. Any paper requesting an interview that is filed in a supplemental examination proceeding is an unauthorized paper, and will be expunged from the file if inadvertently entered. A telephone call to the Office to confirm receipt of a request for supplemental examination, or to discuss general procedural questions, is not considered to be an interview for the purposes of this provision. This prohibition against interviews applies only to supplemental examination proceedings. Interviews conducted in connection with any ex parte reexamination ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257 as a result of the supplemental examination proceeding are governed by the regulations governing ex parte reexamination proceedings. See, e.g., 37 CFR 1.560. Specifically, interviews are generally permitted to discuss issues of patentability, which are directly addressed during any ex parte reexamination proceeding ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257, and not during the supplemental examination proceeding.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.620(e)Reexamination OrderEx Parte ReexaminationStatutory Period Computation (37 CFR 1.134)
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2814-9dcce288e1b1e0116412c1e3]
Unauthorized Interview Paper Expunged
Note:
Any paper requesting an interview filed in a supplemental examination proceeding must be expunged from the file if inadvertently entered.

37 CFR 1.620(e) prohibits interviews in a supplemental examination proceeding. This requirement will assist the Office to process the request for supplemental examination within the three-month statutory period. Any paper requesting an interview that is filed in a supplemental examination proceeding is an unauthorized paper, and will be expunged from the file if inadvertently entered. A telephone call to the Office to confirm receipt of a request for supplemental examination, or to discuss general procedural questions, is not considered to be an interview for the purposes of this provision. This prohibition against interviews applies only to supplemental examination proceedings. Interviews conducted in connection with any ex parte reexamination ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257 as a result of the supplemental examination proceeding are governed by the regulations governing ex parte reexamination proceedings. See, e.g., 37 CFR 1.560. Specifically, interviews are generally permitted to discuss issues of patentability, which are directly addressed during any ex parte reexamination proceeding ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257, and not during the supplemental examination proceeding.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.620(e)Reexamination OrderEx Parte ReexaminationSupplemental Examination
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2814-625ee8c140243d0c8eaab0d6]
Call to Confirm Receipt Not an Interview
Note:
A phone call to confirm receipt of a request for supplemental examination is not considered an interview under this provision.

37 CFR 1.620(e) prohibits interviews in a supplemental examination proceeding. This requirement will assist the Office to process the request for supplemental examination within the three-month statutory period. Any paper requesting an interview that is filed in a supplemental examination proceeding is an unauthorized paper, and will be expunged from the file if inadvertently entered. A telephone call to the Office to confirm receipt of a request for supplemental examination, or to discuss general procedural questions, is not considered to be an interview for the purposes of this provision. This prohibition against interviews applies only to supplemental examination proceedings. Interviews conducted in connection with any ex parte reexamination ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257 as a result of the supplemental examination proceeding are governed by the regulations governing ex parte reexamination proceedings. See, e.g., 37 CFR 1.560. Specifically, interviews are generally permitted to discuss issues of patentability, which are directly addressed during any ex parte reexamination proceeding ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257, and not during the supplemental examination proceeding.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.620(e)Reexamination OrderEx Parte ReexaminationSupplemental Examination
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2814-85c3021aa4f46e342940b269]
Interviews Prohibited During Supplemental Examinations
Note:
This rule prohibits interviews in supplemental examination proceedings to ensure timely processing within the statutory period.

37 CFR 1.620(e) prohibits interviews in a supplemental examination proceeding. This requirement will assist the Office to process the request for supplemental examination within the three-month statutory period. Any paper requesting an interview that is filed in a supplemental examination proceeding is an unauthorized paper, and will be expunged from the file if inadvertently entered. A telephone call to the Office to confirm receipt of a request for supplemental examination, or to discuss general procedural questions, is not considered to be an interview for the purposes of this provision. This prohibition against interviews applies only to supplemental examination proceedings. Interviews conducted in connection with any ex parte reexamination ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257 as a result of the supplemental examination proceeding are governed by the regulations governing ex parte reexamination proceedings. See, e.g., 37 CFR 1.560. Specifically, interviews are generally permitted to discuss issues of patentability, which are directly addressed during any ex parte reexamination proceeding ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257, and not during the supplemental examination proceeding.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.620(e)Reexamination OrderEx Parte ReexaminationSupplemental Examination
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2814-5c209c76acf546d2ccee3726]
Interviews for Ex Parte Reexamination Ordered After Supplemental Exam
Note:
Regulations governing interviews during ex parte reexaminations ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257 after a supplemental examination proceeding.

37 CFR 1.620(e) prohibits interviews in a supplemental examination proceeding. This requirement will assist the Office to process the request for supplemental examination within the three-month statutory period. Any paper requesting an interview that is filed in a supplemental examination proceeding is an unauthorized paper, and will be expunged from the file if inadvertently entered. A telephone call to the Office to confirm receipt of a request for supplemental examination, or to discuss general procedural questions, is not considered to be an interview for the purposes of this provision. This prohibition against interviews applies only to supplemental examination proceedings. Interviews conducted in connection with any ex parte reexamination ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257 as a result of the supplemental examination proceeding are governed by the regulations governing ex parte reexamination proceedings. See, e.g., 37 CFR 1.560. Specifically, interviews are generally permitted to discuss issues of patentability, which are directly addressed during any ex parte reexamination proceeding ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257, and not during the supplemental examination proceeding.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.620(e)Reexamination OrderEx Parte ReexaminationSupplemental Examination
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2814-8d5a5b060148f3c82caf45e1]
Interviews Permitted During Ex Parte Reexamination But Not Supplemental Examination
Note:
Interviews are generally permitted during ex parte reexamination proceedings but not during supplemental examination proceedings.

37 CFR 1.620(e) prohibits interviews in a supplemental examination proceeding. This requirement will assist the Office to process the request for supplemental examination within the three-month statutory period. Any paper requesting an interview that is filed in a supplemental examination proceeding is an unauthorized paper, and will be expunged from the file if inadvertently entered. A telephone call to the Office to confirm receipt of a request for supplemental examination, or to discuss general procedural questions, is not considered to be an interview for the purposes of this provision. This prohibition against interviews applies only to supplemental examination proceedings. Interviews conducted in connection with any ex parte reexamination ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257 as a result of the supplemental examination proceeding are governed by the regulations governing ex parte reexamination proceedings. See, e.g., 37 CFR 1.560. Specifically, interviews are generally permitted to discuss issues of patentability, which are directly addressed during any ex parte reexamination proceeding ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257, and not during the supplemental examination proceeding.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.620(e)Reexamination OrderEx Parte ReexaminationSubstantial New Question of Patentability
Topic

Ex Parte Reexamination

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2814-60736fba938c8da499d8156d]
Interviews Not Allowed During Supplemental Examination
Note:
This rule prohibits interviews in supplemental examination proceedings to ensure timely processing, with exceptions for procedural questions during ex parte reexamination.

37 CFR 1.620(e) prohibits interviews in a supplemental examination proceeding. This requirement will assist the Office to process the request for supplemental examination within the three-month statutory period. Any paper requesting an interview that is filed in a supplemental examination proceeding is an unauthorized paper, and will be expunged from the file if inadvertently entered. A telephone call to the Office to confirm receipt of a request for supplemental examination, or to discuss general procedural questions, is not considered to be an interview for the purposes of this provision. This prohibition against interviews applies only to supplemental examination proceedings. Interviews conducted in connection with any ex parte reexamination ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257 as a result of the supplemental examination proceeding are governed by the regulations governing ex parte reexamination proceedings. See, e.g., 37 CFR 1.560. Specifically, interviews are generally permitted to discuss issues of patentability, which are directly addressed during any ex parte reexamination proceeding ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257, and not during the supplemental examination proceeding.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.620(e)Ex Parte ReexaminationReexamination OrderSubstantial New Question of Patentability

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Ex Parte Reexamination
Reexamination Order
35 U.S.C. § 257
Ex Parte Reexamination
Reexamination Order
37 CFR § 1.560
Ex Parte Reexamination
Reexamination Order
37 CFR § 1.620(e)

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