Patent Law FAQ

Patent owners should follow these steps to prepare for an interview in an ex parte reexamination proceeding, as outlined in MPEP 2281:

1. Contact the examiner to indicate the issues to be discussed and determine if an interview will be granted.
2. If granted, file the following at least three working days prior to the interview:
   • An informal written statement of the issues to be discussed
   • An informal copy of any proposed claims to be discussed
3. Submit these materials by fax directly to the examiner or hand-deliver them to avoid delays.

The MPEP states: “If the examiner agrees to grant the interview, the patent owner must file, at least three (3) working days prior to the interview, an informal written statement of the issues to be discussed at the interview, and an informal copy of any proposed claims to be discussed, unless examiner waives this requirement.“

These preparatory steps are designed to provide structure to the interview and facilitate the statutory mandate for special dispatch in reexamination proceedings.

To learn more:

• ex parte reexamination
• patent interviews
• interview preparation
• USPTO procedures

For ex parte reexamination requests filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 and subsequent correspondence, the MPEP provides specific addressing instructions:

For mail sent via U.S. Postal Service:

• Mail Stop “Ex Parte Reexam”
• Attn: Central Reexamination Unit
• Commissioner for Patents
• P.O. Box 1450
• Alexandria, VA 22313-1450

For hand-carried or delivery service submissions:

• Customer Service Window
• Randolph Building
• 401 Dulany Street
• Alexandria, VA 22314

The MPEP states: “It is strongly recommended that the Mail Stop information be placed in a prominent position on the first page of each paper being filed utilizing a sufficiently large font size that will direct attention to it.”

To learn more:

• ex parte reexamination
• correspondence
• USPTO
• mailing address
• hand delivery

For ex parte reexamination requests filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 and subsequent correspondence, the MPEP provides specific addressing instructions:

For mail sent via U.S. Postal Service:

• Mail Stop “Ex Parte Reexam”
• Attn: Central Reexamination Unit
• Commissioner for Patents
• P.O. Box 1450
• Alexandria, VA 22313-1450

For hand-carried or delivery service submissions:

• Customer Service Window
• Randolph Building
• 401 Dulany Street
• Alexandria, VA 22314

The MPEP states: “It is strongly recommended that the Mail Stop information be placed in a prominent position on the first page of each paper being filed utilizing a sufficiently large font size that will direct attention to it.”

To learn more:

• ex parte reexamination
• correspondence
• USPTO
• mailing address
• hand delivery

Patent owners should follow these steps to prepare for an interview in an ex parte reexamination proceeding, as outlined in MPEP 2281:

1. Contact the examiner to indicate the issues to be discussed and determine if an interview will be granted.
2. If granted, file the following at least three working days prior to the interview:
   • An informal written statement of the issues to be discussed
   • An informal copy of any proposed claims to be discussed
3. Submit these materials by fax directly to the examiner or hand-deliver them to avoid delays.

The MPEP states: “If the examiner agrees to grant the interview, the patent owner must file, at least three (3) working days prior to the interview, an informal written statement of the issues to be discussed at the interview, and an informal copy of any proposed claims to be discussed, unless examiner waives this requirement.“

These preparatory steps are designed to provide structure to the interview and facilitate the statutory mandate for special dispatch in reexamination proceedings.

To learn more:

• ex parte reexamination
• patent interviews
• interview preparation
• USPTO procedures

Patent owners should follow these steps to prepare for an interview in an ex parte reexamination proceeding, as outlined in MPEP 2281:

1. Contact the examiner to indicate the issues to be discussed and determine if an interview will be granted.
2. If granted, file the following at least three working days prior to the interview:
   • An informal written statement of the issues to be discussed
   • An informal copy of any proposed claims to be discussed
3. Submit these materials by fax directly to the examiner or hand-deliver them to avoid delays.

The MPEP states: “If the examiner agrees to grant the interview, the patent owner must file, at least three (3) working days prior to the interview, an informal written statement of the issues to be discussed at the interview, and an informal copy of any proposed claims to be discussed, unless examiner waives this requirement.“

These preparatory steps are designed to provide structure to the interview and facilitate the statutory mandate for special dispatch in reexamination proceedings.

To learn more:

• ex parte reexamination
• patent interviews
• interview preparation
• USPTO procedures

For ex parte reexamination requests filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 and subsequent correspondence, the MPEP provides specific addressing instructions:

For mail sent via U.S. Postal Service:

• Mail Stop “Ex Parte Reexam”
• Attn: Central Reexamination Unit
• Commissioner for Patents
• P.O. Box 1450
• Alexandria, VA 22313-1450

For hand-carried or delivery service submissions:

• Customer Service Window
• Randolph Building
• 401 Dulany Street
• Alexandria, VA 22314

The MPEP states: “It is strongly recommended that the Mail Stop information be placed in a prominent position on the first page of each paper being filed utilizing a sufficiently large font size that will direct attention to it.”

To learn more:

• ex parte reexamination
• correspondence
• USPTO
• mailing address
• hand delivery

Patent owners should follow these steps to prepare for an interview in an ex parte reexamination proceeding, as outlined in MPEP 2281:

1. Contact the examiner to indicate the issues to be discussed and determine if an interview will be granted.
2. If granted, file the following at least three working days prior to the interview:
   • An informal written statement of the issues to be discussed
   • An informal copy of any proposed claims to be discussed
3. Submit these materials by fax directly to the examiner or hand-deliver them to avoid delays.

The MPEP states: “If the examiner agrees to grant the interview, the patent owner must file, at least three (3) working days prior to the interview, an informal written statement of the issues to be discussed at the interview, and an informal copy of any proposed claims to be discussed, unless examiner waives this requirement.“

These preparatory steps are designed to provide structure to the interview and facilitate the statutory mandate for special dispatch in reexamination proceedings.

To learn more:

• ex parte reexamination
• patent interviews
• interview preparation
• USPTO procedures

For ex parte reexamination requests filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 and subsequent correspondence, the MPEP provides specific addressing instructions:

For mail sent via U.S. Postal Service:

• Mail Stop “Ex Parte Reexam”
• Attn: Central Reexamination Unit
• Commissioner for Patents
• P.O. Box 1450
• Alexandria, VA 22313-1450

For hand-carried or delivery service submissions:

• Customer Service Window
• Randolph Building
• 401 Dulany Street
• Alexandria, VA 22314

The MPEP states: “It is strongly recommended that the Mail Stop information be placed in a prominent position on the first page of each paper being filed utilizing a sufficiently large font size that will direct attention to it.”

To learn more:

• ex parte reexamination
• correspondence
• USPTO
• mailing address
• hand delivery