What is the purpose of interviews in patent prosecution?

Interviews play a crucial role in patent prosecution by: Improving mutual understanding of specific issues in an application Bridging the gap between examiners and applicants on substantive matters Advancing prosecution and identifying patentable subject matter As stated in MPEP 713: “Discussions between an applicant and an examiner are often indispensable to advance the prosecution of…

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What is the purpose of interviews prior to first Office action in patent applications?

Interviews prior to the first Office action in patent applications serve several important purposes: To discuss and clarify the invention and claims To identify and resolve potential issues early in the examination process To expedite prosecution by addressing concerns before formal Office actions To establish a better understanding between the examiner and the applicant As…

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What is the confidentiality requirement for unpublished patent applications?

Unpublished patent applications are subject to confidentiality requirements under 35 U.S.C. 122(a). MPEP 405 addresses this in the context of interviews: However, an interview concerning an application that has not been published under 35 U.S.C. 122(b) with an attorney or agent not of record who obtains authorization through use of the interview request form will…

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