How are documents submitted by parties considered in reexamination?

In reexamination proceedings, the consideration given to documents submitted by parties (patent owner or requester) is typically limited by how well the submitting party has explained the content and relevance of those documents. According to MPEP 2656:

“Where patents, publications, and other such documents are submitted by a party (patent owner or requester) in compliance with the requirements of the rules, the requisite degree of consideration to be given to such information will normally be limited by the degree to which the party filing the document has explained its content and relevance.”

This means that while examiners will review submitted documents, the depth of their consideration often depends on the accompanying explanation provided by the submitting party. It’s important for parties to not only submit relevant prior art but also to clearly explain why it’s significant to the reexamination.

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Topics: MPEP 2600 - Optional Inter Partes Reexamination, MPEP 2656 - Prior Art Patents And Printed Publications Reviewed By Examiner In Reexamination, Patent Law, Patent Procedure
Tags: document submission, MPEP 2656, patent examination