Are there any exceptions to the communication ban with suspended or excluded practitioners?
Yes, there is one exception to the communication ban. According to MPEP 105, USPTO employees may communicate with a suspended or excluded practitioner “unless it is one in which said attorney or agent is an inventor or the applicant.” This means that if the suspended or excluded practitioner is listed as an inventor or is the applicant on a patent application, USPTO employees are allowed to communicate with them regarding that specific application.
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 105 - Suspended or Excluded Practitioner Cannot Inspect,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure