MPEP § 1002.02(c)(4) — Petitions Decided in the Central Reexamination Unit (Annotated Rules)

§1002.02(c)(4) Petitions Decided in the Central Reexamination Unit

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 1002.02(c)(4), 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.

Petitions Decided in the Central Reexamination Unit

This section addresses Petitions Decided in the Central Reexamination Unit. Primary authority: 37 CFR 41.3. Contains: 2 statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Central Reexamination Unit Processing

1 rules
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-1002-02-c-4-aa6470d1c5848612097f892f]
Director of CRU Decides Petitions in Ex Parte Reexamination
Note:
The Director of the Central Reexamination Unit has authority to decide petitions for ex parte reexamination, including those related to extensions of time and expunging papers.
In addition to the items delegated to Technology Center Directors under MPEP § 1002.02(c), authority to decide the following is delegated to the Director of the Central Reexamination Unit (CRU). Where specifically indicated, the authority is further delegated to the CRU Supervisory Patent Reexamination Specialists (SPRS) as noted below:
  • 1. Petitions under 37 CFR 1.181(a)(1) from any action or requirement of any examiner in ex parte and inter partes reexamination proceedings including any request for reconsideration of a decision on such a petition. See MPEP § 1002.02(c), item 3, for petitions seeking supervisory review of prior decisions of petitions under 37 CFR 1.181(a)(1).
  • 2. Petitions under 37 CFR 1.550(c) for an extension of time in ex parte reexamination proceedings (further delegated to SPRS).
  • 3. Petitions under 37 CFR 1.956 for an extension of time in inter partes reexamination proceedings (further delegated to SPRS).
  • 4. Petitions under 37 CFR 1.59 to expunge papers in reexamination and supplemental examination proceedings (further delegated to SPRS).
Jump to MPEP SourceCentral Reexamination Unit ProcessingEx Parte ReexaminationDelegation of Petition Authority (MPEP 1003)
Topic

Appeals in Reexamination

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1002-02-c-4-d0abdb915688222c2ad5e508]
Petitions for Reexamination Decided by Board
Note:
Petitions in ex parte and inter partes reexamination proceedings, for actions after jurisdiction transfer or expressly delegated to the Board, must be filed under 37 CFR 41.3.

Petitions in ex parte and inter partes reexamination proceedings for actions occurring after jurisdiction has transferred to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (Board) or for petitions that have been expressly delegated to be decided by the Board are appropriately filed under 37 CFR 41.3. See MPEP §§ 1002.02(f) and 1002.02(j) for more information on petitions and other matters decided by the Board.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 41.3Appeals in ReexaminationInter Partes Reexamination AppealPTAB Jurisdiction

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Central Reexamination Unit Processing37 CFR § 1.181(a)(1)
Central Reexamination Unit Processing37 CFR § 1.550(c)
Central Reexamination Unit Processing37 CFR § 1.59
Central Reexamination Unit Processing37 CFR § 1.956
Appeals in Reexamination37 CFR § 41.3
Central Reexamination Unit ProcessingMPEP § 1002.02(c)
Appeals in ReexaminationMPEP § 1002.02(f)

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