Who is responsible for assigning supplemental examination requests to examiners?

Within the assigned art unit of the Central Reexamination Unit (CRU), the Supervisory Patent Examiner (SPE) is responsible for assigning supplemental examination requests to examiners. The MPEP states, In that art unit, the CRU Supervisory Patent Examiner (SPE) will assign the request to a primary examiner, other than the examiner who originally examined the patent…

Read More

What role does the supervisory patent examiner (SPE) play in reopening prosecution after appeal?

The supervisory patent examiner (SPE) plays a crucial role in the process of reopening prosecution after an appeal has been filed. Their responsibilities include: Approval of new grounds of rejection: The SPE must approve any new ground of rejection that is not necessitated by an amendment to the claims. Recording reasons: The SPE must record…

Read More

What role does a supervisory patent examiner (SPE) play in post-allowance rejections?

A supervisory patent examiner (SPE) plays a crucial role in the process of issuing rejections after a notice of allowance. According to MPEP 1308.01: “The supervisory patent examiner (SPE) must approve any rejection of a previously allowed claim.” The SPE’s responsibilities in post-allowance rejections include: Reviewing the examiner’s proposed new rejection Ensuring the rejection is…

Read More

What is the role of a supervisory patent examiner in application assignment?

The supervisory patent examiner plays a crucial role in the assignment of patent applications to examiners. According to MPEP 909.02(b): “The supervisory patent examiner normally assigns the application to an examiner.” This means that the supervisory patent examiner is typically responsible for: Reviewing incoming applications Determining which examiner is best suited to handle each application…

Read More

What is the role of supervisory patent examiners in the examination process?

Supervisory patent examiners play a crucial role in overseeing the examination process and ensuring its efficiency. The MPEP 707.02 outlines their responsibilities: The supervisory patent examiners should impress upon their assistants that the shortest path to the final disposition of an application is by finding the best references on the first search and carefully applying…

Read More

What is the examiner’s role in reviewing amendments under 37 CFR 1.312?

The examiner’s role in reviewing amendments under 37 CFR 1.312 includes: Promptly considering the amendment Indicating whether entry is recommended by annotating the amendment Ensuring compliance with 37 CFR 1.121 Forwarding recommendations to the supervisory patent examiner for certain types of amendments The MPEP states: The amendment is PROMPTLY considered by the examiner who indicates…

Read More

What does the MPEP say about applications up for third action?

The MPEP emphasizes the importance of efficient examination for applications up for third or subsequent actions. According to MPEP 707.02: The supervisory patent examiners are expected to personally check on the pendency of every application which is up for the third or subsequent Office action with a view to finally concluding its prosecution. This means…

Read More