What are the consequences of violating the ‘No Inter Partes Questions Discussed Ex Parte’ rule?
Violating the ‘No Inter Partes Questions Discussed Ex Parte’ rule, as stated in MPEP 713.06, can have serious consequences for both examiners and applicants:
- For examiners: Potential disciplinary action, including warnings, suspension, or termination.
- For applicants: Risk of invalidation of patents or adverse decisions in the examination process.
- For both: Damage to professional reputation and credibility.
The USPTO takes this rule seriously to maintain the integrity of the patent examination process. While the MPEP doesn’t explicitly state the consequences, violations could potentially lead to legal challenges or ethical investigations.
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