How does an examiner initiate a transfer of a design application?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

To initiate a transfer of a design application, an examiner in the USPTO follows these steps:

1. Determine the proposed classification of the application.
2. If necessary, perform a cursory search or contact the applicant for clarification.
3. Send an email to the examiner who customarily examines the art of the proposed classification.
4. Provide a full explanation of the reasons for the proposed classification change.

The MPEP states: To initiate the application transfer the examiner should send an email to the examiner who customarily examines the art of the proposed classification change (receiving examiner) and provide a full explanation of the reasons for the proposed classification.