What is the purpose of the “No Second Interference” rule in patent law?
The “No Second Interference” rule in patent law serves several important purposes:
- Preventing redundant proceedings
- Ensuring efficiency in the patent examination process
- Providing finality to interference decisions
- Conserving USPTO resources
As stated in MPEP 2308.03(c):
“No second interference should occur between the same parties on patentably indistinct subject matter.”
This rule helps maintain the integrity of the patent system by preventing parties from repeatedly contesting the same or similar inventions, thereby promoting certainty and finality in patent rights.
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 2300 - Interference And Derivation Proceedings,
MPEP 2308.03(C) - No Second Interference,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure