MPEP § 1442 — Special Status (Annotated Rules)

§1442 Special Status

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 1442, 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.

Special Status

This section addresses Special Status. Primary authority: 37 CFR 42.2. Contains: 2 statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Disclosure of Litigation

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1442-5ac1bf8600f52aa5dcf084a4]
Reissue Applications Take Priority Over Special Applications
Note:
All reissue applications, except those suspended due to litigation or PTAB proceedings, will be processed before other special applications.

All reissue applications, except those under suspension because of litigation or a pending trial before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), will be taken up for action ahead of other "special" applications; this means that all issues not deferred will be treated and responded to immediately. Furthermore, reissue applications involved in litigation will be taken up for action in advance of other reissue applications. A pending trial before the PTAB includes a derivation proceeding, an inter partes review, a post-grant review, and a covered business method review. See 37 CFR 42.2.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 42.2Disclosure of LitigationPTAB JurisdictionReissue and Litigation
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1442-7b807869729112dcd06dd44e]
Pending PTAB Trials Include Derivation, Inter Partes, Post-Grant, and Covered Business Method Reviews
Note:
This rule states that a reissue application involving a pending trial before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) including derivation, inter partes review, post-grant review, or covered business method review will be prioritized for action.

All reissue applications, except those under suspension because of litigation or a pending trial before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), will be taken up for action ahead of other "special" applications; this means that all issues not deferred will be treated and responded to immediately. Furthermore, reissue applications involved in litigation will be taken up for action in advance of other reissue applications. A pending trial before the PTAB includes a derivation proceeding, an inter partes review, a post-grant review, and a covered business method review. See 37 CFR 42.2.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 42.2Disclosure of LitigationPTAB JurisdictionReissue and Litigation

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Disclosure of Litigation37 CFR § 42.2

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