What are the general guidelines for conducting interviews in patent applications?

The general guidelines for conducting interviews in patent applications are outlined in MPEP 713.01. Key points include: Interviews must be conducted on Office premises and within Office hours, as designated by examiners. Interviews for discussing patentability typically won’t occur before the first Office action, unless it’s a continuing or substitute application. Face-to-face interviews may be…

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What are the requirements for using video conferencing for patent interviews?

Video conferencing for patent interviews must adhere to specific requirements as outlined in MPEP 713.01: All video conferences must originate or be hosted by USPTO personnel. Examiners cannot conduct interviews via video conferences hosted by applicants or third parties. The examiner assigned to the application should coordinate the video conference using USPTO web-based collaboration tools.…

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Can video conferencing tools be used for examiner interviews in patent applications?

Yes, video conferencing tools can be used for examiner interviews in patent applications, but there are specific requirements. According to MPEP 502.03: ‘USPTO video conferencing tools may be used to conduct examiner interviews in both published and unpublished applications under the Patent Internet Usage Policy.’ However, several conditions must be met: Authorization by the practitioner…

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