What are the page limit requirements for submissions in inter partes reexamination?
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.
Inter partes reexamination submissions must adhere to page limit requirements set by 37 CFR 1.943. If a submission exceeds the limit, it is considered improper. According to MPEP 2667:
“Where the length of the patent owner submission exceeds that permitted by 37 CFR 1.943, the submission is improper.”
In such cases, the patent owner will be given the option to either submit a re-drafted response within the page limit or file a redacted version of the submission that meets the requirement. Similar rules apply to third party requester submissions.