MPEP § 2276 — Oral Hearing (Annotated Rules)

§2276 Oral Hearing

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2276, 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.

Oral Hearing

This section addresses Oral Hearing. Primary authority: 37 CFR 41.20(b)(3), 37 CFR 41.73(b), and 37 CFR 41.3. Contains: 1 requirement, 1 prohibition, 1 permission, and 3 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Oral Hearing

4 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2276-d5d5afe53f39d1669768ec98]
Request for Oral Hearing Must Be Filed Within Two Months
Note:
Appellant must file a written request for an oral hearing along with the required fee within two months of the examiner’s answer or supplemental answer.

If appellant (patent owner) desires an oral hearing, appellant must file a written request for such hearing accompanied by the fee set forth in 37 CFR 41.20(b)(3) within two months after the date of the examiner’s answer or supplemental examiner’s answer. The time for requesting an oral hearing may not be extended. 37 CFR 41.73(b). No appellant will be permitted to participate in an oral hearing unless he or she has requested an oral hearing and submitted the fee set forth in 37 CFR 41.20(b)(3).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 41.20(b)(3)Oral HearingEx Parte Appeals to PTABFee Requirements
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-2276-2f7e985aadba3cf2c7a31811]
Request for Oral Hearing Must Be Timely Filed
Note:
Appellant must file a written request for an oral hearing within two months of the examiner’s answer, and this time cannot be extended.

If appellant (patent owner) desires an oral hearing, appellant must file a written request for such hearing accompanied by the fee set forth in 37 CFR 41.20(b)(3) within two months after the date of the examiner’s answer or supplemental examiner’s answer. The time for requesting an oral hearing may not be extended. 37 CFR 41.73(b). No appellant will be permitted to participate in an oral hearing unless he or she has requested an oral hearing and submitted the fee set forth in 37 CFR 41.20(b)(3).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 41.20(b)(3)Oral HearingEx Parte Appeals to PTABFee Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2276-ea3a8bd6d0d4aae33ae7d996]
Request for Oral Hearing Required Within Two Months
Note:
Appellant must file a written request and submit the required fee within two months of the examiner’s answer to participate in an oral hearing.

If appellant (patent owner) desires an oral hearing, appellant must file a written request for such hearing accompanied by the fee set forth in 37 CFR 41.20(b)(3) within two months after the date of the examiner’s answer or supplemental examiner’s answer. The time for requesting an oral hearing may not be extended. 37 CFR 41.73(b). No appellant will be permitted to participate in an oral hearing unless he or she has requested an oral hearing and submitted the fee set forth in 37 CFR 41.20(b)(3).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 41.20(b)(3)Oral HearingEx Parte Appeals to PTABFee Requirements
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2276-7830c3d44fbcfa67b9759707]
Requirement for Oral Hearing Request and Fee Payment
Note:
Appellants must request an oral hearing in writing and pay the specified fee within two months of receiving the examiner’s answer to participate.

If appellant (patent owner) desires an oral hearing, appellant must file a written request for such hearing accompanied by the fee set forth in 37 CFR 41.20(b)(3) within two months after the date of the examiner’s answer or supplemental examiner’s answer. The time for requesting an oral hearing may not be extended. 37 CFR 41.73(b). No appellant will be permitted to participate in an oral hearing unless he or she has requested an oral hearing and submitted the fee set forth in 37 CFR 41.20(b)(3).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 41.20(b)(3)Oral HearingEx Parte Appeals to PTABFee Requirements
Topic

Processing Fees

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2276-4c99f08f5ed69b5247842751]
Reexamination Hearing Not Open to Public Unless Petitioned
Note:
Unless the appellant petitions and meets certain conditions, oral hearings in reexamination proceedings are open to public observers.

Where the appeal involves reexamination proceedings, oral hearings are open to the public as observers (subject to the admittance procedures established by the Board), unless the appellant (A) petitions under 37 CFR 41.3 that the hearing not be open to the public, (B) presents sufficient reasons for such a request, (C) pays the petition fee set forth in 37 CFR 41.20(a), and (D) the petition is granted.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 41.3Processing FeesPTAB JurisdictionEx Parte Appeals to PTAB
Topic

Ex Parte Reexamination

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2276-413bb68e1a576d2c1de6a4f0]
Oral Hearings Required for Appeals
Note:
MPEP § 1209 mandates that oral hearings be held for appeals in both patent applications and ex parte reexamination proceedings.

MPEP § 1209 relates to oral hearings in appeals in both patent applications and ex parte reexamination proceedings.

Jump to MPEP SourceEx Parte Reexamination

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Processing Fees37 CFR § 41.20(a)
Oral Hearing37 CFR § 41.20(b)(3)
Processing Fees37 CFR § 41.3
Oral Hearing37 CFR § 41.73(b)
Ex Parte ReexaminationMPEP § 1209

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