MPEP § 2817 — Conclusion of Supplemental Examination (Annotated Rules)

§2817 Conclusion of Supplemental Examination

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2817, 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.

Conclusion of Supplemental Examination

This section addresses Conclusion of Supplemental Examination. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 257(a), 35 U.S.C. 257, and 37 CFR 1.601. Contains: 1 requirement and 2 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Reexamination Certificate

6 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2817-9954e77a15158481aa9881bc]
Certificate Must Indicate SNQ of Patentability
Note:
The supplemental examination must conclude with a certificate stating whether the submitted information raises a substantial new question of patentability.

35 U.S.C. 257(a) requires that supplemental examination "shall conclude with the issuance of a certificate indicating whether the information presented in the request raises a substantial new question of patentability." A supplemental examination proceeding is initiated by the filing of a request for supplemental examination that complies with 35 U.S.C. 257 and 37 CFR 1.601 et seq., and all other applicable rules, and ends with the electronic issuance of the supplemental examination certificate. The supplemental examination certificate will state the result of the Office’s determination whether any of the items of information submitted as part of the request raises a SNQ.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.601Reexamination CertificateSNQ CriteriaConclusion of Ex Parte Reexamination
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2817-0172daa655e10e8dfe966a99]
Supplemental Examination Proceeding Ends With Issuance of Certificate
Note:
A supplemental examination proceeding concludes with the electronic issuance of a certificate indicating whether submitted information raises a substantial new question of patentability.

35 U.S.C. 257(a) requires that supplemental examination "shall conclude with the issuance of a certificate indicating whether the information presented in the request raises a substantial new question of patentability." A supplemental examination proceeding is initiated by the filing of a request for supplemental examination that complies with 35 U.S.C. 257 and 37 CFR 1.601 et seq., and all other applicable rules, and ends with the electronic issuance of the supplemental examination certificate. The supplemental examination certificate will state the result of the Office’s determination whether any of the items of information submitted as part of the request raises a SNQ.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.601Reexamination CertificateConclusion of Ex Parte ReexaminationSupplemental Examination Certificate
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2817-5f159514f43d78ba7a832311]
Supplemental Examination Certificate Must State SNQ Determination
Note:
The certificate must indicate whether any submitted information raises a substantial new question of patentability.

35 U.S.C. 257(a) requires that supplemental examination "shall conclude with the issuance of a certificate indicating whether the information presented in the request raises a substantial new question of patentability." A supplemental examination proceeding is initiated by the filing of a request for supplemental examination that complies with 35 U.S.C. 257 and 37 CFR 1.601 et seq., and all other applicable rules, and ends with the electronic issuance of the supplemental examination certificate. The supplemental examination certificate will state the result of the Office’s determination whether any of the items of information submitted as part of the request raises a SNQ.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.601Reexamination CertificateSNQ CriteriaConclusion of Ex Parte Reexamination
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2817-8efcd49eb3077633b9b1860f]
SNQ Requirement for Ex Parte Reexamination
Note:
If a substantial new question of patentability is raised in the supplemental examination certificate, an ex parte reexamination will be ordered.

If the supplemental examination certificate states that a SNQ is raised by one or more of the items of information submitted as part of the request, ex parte reexamination of the patent will be ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257. In other words, if the supplemental examination certificate states that a SNQ is raised, an ex parte reexamination proceeding will be initiated after the conclusion of the supplemental examination proceeding. If, however, the supplemental examination certificate states that no substantial new question of patentability is raised in the request, then an ex parte reexamination proceeding will not be initiated at the conclusion of the supplemental examination proceeding.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.625Reexamination CertificateConclusion of Ex Parte ReexaminationReexamination Order
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2817-a75de750356a4013ba09dc8a]
Ex Parte Reexamination Initiated After Supplemental Exam If SNQ Raised
Note:
If the supplemental examination certificate states that a substantial new question of patentability is raised, an ex parte reexamination proceeding will be initiated after the conclusion of the supplemental examination proceeding.

If the supplemental examination certificate states that a SNQ is raised by one or more of the items of information submitted as part of the request, ex parte reexamination of the patent will be ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257. In other words, if the supplemental examination certificate states that a SNQ is raised, an ex parte reexamination proceeding will be initiated after the conclusion of the supplemental examination proceeding. If, however, the supplemental examination certificate states that no substantial new question of patentability is raised in the request, then an ex parte reexamination proceeding will not be initiated at the conclusion of the supplemental examination proceeding.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.625Reexamination CertificateConclusion of Ex Parte ReexaminationSubstantial New Question of Patentability
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2817-4913c671ea90af8a3f657bd6]
No New Patentability Questions After Supplemental Exam
Note:
If the supplemental examination certificate states no substantial new questions of patentability, an ex parte reexamination will not be initiated.

If the supplemental examination certificate states that a SNQ is raised by one or more of the items of information submitted as part of the request, ex parte reexamination of the patent will be ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257. In other words, if the supplemental examination certificate states that a SNQ is raised, an ex parte reexamination proceeding will be initiated after the conclusion of the supplemental examination proceeding. If, however, the supplemental examination certificate states that no substantial new question of patentability is raised in the request, then an ex parte reexamination proceeding will not be initiated at the conclusion of the supplemental examination proceeding.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.625Reexamination CertificateSNQ CriteriaDenial – No SNQ Raised

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Reexamination Certificate35 U.S.C. § 257
Reexamination Certificate35 U.S.C. § 257(a)
Reexamination Certificate37 CFR § 1.601

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