What triggers an order for inter partes reexamination?
An order for inter partes reexamination is triggered when the Director finds that a substantial new question of patentability (SNQ) affecting a claim of a patent is raised, or that there is a reasonable likelihood that the requester would prevail (RLP) with respect to at least one of the claims challenged in the request. As…
Read MoreAt what point in the reexamination process can a title change be made?
According to MPEP 2660.02, a patent title change can be made at different points during the reexamination process: Early in the prosecution: “The examiner should point out the need for the change as early as possible in the prosecution, as a part of an Office action.” At the conclusion of the reexamination: “Where the examiner…
Read MoreHow is the timeliness of third party requester comments affected by service in inter partes reexamination?
The timeliness of third party requester comments in inter partes reexamination is directly affected by the service of the patent owner’s response. According to MPEP 2666.06: “35 U.S.C. 314(b)(2) mandates that, in order to be timely, a third party requester must file any written comments to the patent owner’s response (to an Office action on…
Read MoreWhat is the timeline for preparing and reviewing an examiner’s answer in inter partes reexamination?
The timeline for preparing and reviewing an examiner’s answer in an inter partes reexamination proceeding is outlined in MPEP 2677. The key steps and timeframes are as follows: The examiner’s answer is to be completed by the examiner within two weeks after the appeal conference. After completion, the examiner obtains the initials of the appeal…
Read MoreWhat is the time period given to a patent owner to correct an omission in their response?
When a patent owner’s submission is not fully responsive due to an omission, the examiner typically provides a new time period for correction. According to MPEP 2666.30: “The patent owner should be notified of the deficiency and the correction needed, and given a new time period for response (usually one month) pursuant to 37 CFR…
Read MoreWhat are the time limits for requesting rehearing of a Board decision?
According to MPEP 2682, the time limits for requesting rehearing of a Board decision are as follows: The request must be filed within one month from the date of: The original decision under 37 CFR 41.77(a) The original 37 CFR 41.77(b) decision under the provisions of 37 CFR 41.77(b)(2) The expiration of the time for…
Read MoreWhat are the time limits for patent owner submissions after an ACP?
The time limits for patent owner submissions after an Action Closing Prosecution (ACP) are as follows: The submission must be filed within the time period set for response to the ACP, typically 30 days or one month (whichever is longer) from the ACP mailing date. An extension may be requested under 37 CFR 1.956, but…
Read MoreHow long do parties have to correct defects in inter partes reexamination submissions?
Parties typically have one month or thirty days, whichever is longer, from the mailing date of the form PTOL-2069 or equivalent letter to correct defects in their submissions. The MPEP 2666.50 states: “A time period of one month or thirty days, whichever is longer, from the mailing date of the form PTOL-2069 or equivalent letter…
Read MoreWhat is the time limit for a third party requester to comment on a patent owner’s response in inter partes reexamination?
In inter partes reexamination, the third party requester must file comments on a patent owner’s response within a specific time frame. While the exact time limit is not explicitly stated in the provided MPEP section, it is generally 30 days from the date of service of the patent owner’s response. This can be inferred from…
Read MoreWhat is the time limit for third-party comments after a patent owner’s response in inter partes reexamination?
In inter partes reexamination, third parties have a specific time frame to submit comments after the patent owner’s response. According to MPEP 2666.05: “The third party requester comments must be filed “within 30 days from the date of service of the patent owner’s response.” This 30-day period is strictly enforced, and late submissions will not…
Read More