Who is subject to the duty of disclosure in patent term extension proceedings?
The duty of disclosure in patent term extension proceedings applies to a wide range of individuals involved in the process. According to MPEP 2762: “A duty of candor and good faith toward the USPTO, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Agriculture rests on the patent owner or its agent, on…
Read MoreWho has the duty of disclosure in reexamination proceedings?
According to MPEP 2014, the individuals who have a duty of disclosure in reexamination proceedings are: The patent owner Each attorney or agent representing the patent owner Every other individual who is substantively involved on behalf of the patent owner in the reexamination proceeding As stated in 37 CFR 1.555(a): “The individuals who have a…
Read MoreWho needs to file a Certificate of Service for patent reexamination?
A Certificate of Service for patent reexamination must be filed by a third-party requester when submitting a request for ex parte reexamination. This is required when the requester is not the patent owner. MPEP 2220 states: “If the requester of a request filed under 35 U.S.C. 302 is a person other than the patent owner,…
Read MoreWho can submit prior art during a pending reexamination proceeding?
While there are general limitations on prior art submissions during reexamination proceedings, certain parties are allowed to submit prior art. According to MPEP 2204, the following exceptions apply: “[S]ubmissions filed after the date of any order to reexamine will not be entered into the patent file until the pending reexamination proceeding has been concluded (37…
Read MoreWho can request an ex parte reexamination?
According to MPEP 2209, an ex parte reexamination can be requested by various parties: The patent owner: At any time during the enforceability of a patent. Any third party: During the period of enforceability of the patent. The Director of the USPTO: The Director can order a reexamination on their own initiative. The MPEP states,…
Read MoreWho can apply for a patent term extension?
According to MPEP 2752, the patent term extension application must be submitted by the owner of record of the patent or its agent. Specifically, 35 U.S.C. 156(d)(1) states: “To obtain an extension of the term of a patent under this section, the owner of record of the patent or its agent shall submit an application…
Read MoreWho can appeal a decision in an inter partes reexamination proceeding to the Federal Circuit?
For inter partes reexamination proceedings commenced on or after November 2, 2002, both the patent owner and the third party requester can appeal a decision of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. This is stated in MPEP 2683: “A patent owner and/or a third…
Read MoreWhere should the copy of the reexamination request be served to the patent owner?
The copy of the reexamination request must be served to the patent owner’s official correspondence address. MPEP 2220 specifies: “The service must be made on the patent owner’s correspondence address as indicated in 37 CFR 1.33(c).“ This means that the third-party requester must send the copy of the request to the address that the USPTO…
Read MoreWhat is the Waiver of Statement Program in ex parte reexamination?
The Waiver of Statement Program is an initiative to expedite ex parte reexamination proceedings. According to MPEP 2249, “If the patent owner waives the right to file a patent owner’s statement in response to a request from the Office, the examiner will be able to act on the first Office action on the merits immediately…
Read MoreWhat happens if the USPTO can’t contact the patent owner during reexamination?
If the USPTO cannot deliver mail to the patent owner due to lack of a current address, and all efforts to correspond fail, the reexamination proceeding will continue without actual notice to the patent owner. In such cases, the USPTO provides constructive notice through publication in the Official Gazette. As stated in MPEP 2230: “The…
Read More