MPEP § 713.09 — Interviews Between Final Rejection and Notice of Appeal (Annotated Rules)

§713.09 Interviews Between Final Rejection and Notice of Appeal

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 713.09, 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 Between Final Rejection and Notice of Appeal

This section addresses Interviews Between Final Rejection and Notice of Appeal. Contains: 2 guidance statements and 3 permissions.

Key Rules

Topic

Ex Parte Appeals to PTAB

3 rules
MPEP GuidanceRecommendedAlways
[mpep-713-09-5f01c2cb9db1460821503100]
Permitted Interview to Resolve Issues Before Appeal
Note:
An interview after a final rejection is permitted if the purpose and content are presented in writing, and it aims to resolve issues before appeal.

Normally, one interview after final rejection is permitted in order to place the application in condition for allowance or to resolve issues prior to appeal. However, prior to the interview, the intended purpose and content of the interview should be presented briefly, preferably in writing. Such an interview may be granted if the examiner is convinced that disposal or clarification for appeal may be accomplished with only nominal further consideration. Interviews merely to restate arguments of record or to discuss new limitations which would require more than nominal reconsideration or new search should be denied. See MPEP § 714.13.

Jump to MPEP SourceEx Parte Appeals to PTABNotice of Appeal FilingNotice of Appeal
MPEP GuidancePermittedAlways
[mpep-713-09-44ef050eb4201c7f83679db3]
Interview Permitted for Clarification Before Appeal
Note:
An interview may be granted if the examiner believes it can resolve issues for appeal with minimal reconsideration.

Normally, one interview after final rejection is permitted in order to place the application in condition for allowance or to resolve issues prior to appeal. However, prior to the interview, the intended purpose and content of the interview should be presented briefly, preferably in writing. Such an interview may be granted if the examiner is convinced that disposal or clarification for appeal may be accomplished with only nominal further consideration. Interviews merely to restate arguments of record or to discuss new limitations which would require more than nominal reconsideration or new search should be denied. See MPEP § 714.13.

Jump to MPEP SourceEx Parte Appeals to PTABNotice of Appeal FilingNotice of Appeal
MPEP GuidancePermittedAlways
[mpep-713-09-3da5198fe692ec77fecf065c]
Interview Permitted for Expedited Appeal
Note:
An examiner may hold a second interview after a final rejection if it will expedite the appeal process.

A second or further interview after a final rejection may be held if the examiner is convinced that it will expedite the issues for appeal or disposal of the application.

Jump to MPEP SourceEx Parte Appeals to PTABNotice of Appeal FilingNotice of Appeal
Topic

Notice of Appeal Filing

2 rules
MPEP GuidanceRecommendedAlways
[mpep-713-09-8941b6c6b90e4bd91964b0bc]
Interviews to Discuss New Limitations Should Be Denied
Note:
Examiners should deny interviews that discuss new limitations requiring more than nominal reconsideration or new search.

Normally, one interview after final rejection is permitted in order to place the application in condition for allowance or to resolve issues prior to appeal. However, prior to the interview, the intended purpose and content of the interview should be presented briefly, preferably in writing. Such an interview may be granted if the examiner is convinced that disposal or clarification for appeal may be accomplished with only nominal further consideration. Interviews merely to restate arguments of record or to discuss new limitations which would require more than nominal reconsideration or new search should be denied. See MPEP § 714.13.

Jump to MPEP SourceNotice of Appeal FilingNotice of AppealEx Parte Appeals to PTAB
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-713-09-6d017dc782d706e201eb1c17]
Interviews Required After Notice of Appeal
Note:
MPEP § 1204.03 requires interviews to be conducted after a notice of appeal is filed.

For interviews after notice of appeal, see MPEP § 1204.03.

Jump to MPEP SourceNotice of Appeal FilingNotice of AppealEx Parte Appeals to PTAB
Topic

Extension Limits

1 rules
MPEP GuidancePermittedAlways
[mpep-713-09-ddff20e613a5f16338a6ad41]
Interviews Permitted After Shortened Period Before Maximum
Note:
Interviews can be held after the shortened statutory period but before the maximum of 6 months without an extension.

Interviews may be held after the expiration of the shortened statutory period and prior to the maximum permitted statutory period of 6 months without an extension of time. See MPEP § 706.07(f).

Jump to MPEP SourceExtension LimitsPeriod Computation RulesShortened Statutory Period

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Notice of Appeal FilingMPEP § 1204.03
Extension LimitsMPEP § 706.07(f)
Ex Parte Appeals to PTAB
Notice of Appeal Filing
MPEP § 714.13

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