What types of petitions are decided in the Central Reexamination Unit?
The Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) decides several types of petitions related to ex parte and inter partes reexamination proceedings. These include:
- Petitions under 37 CFR 1.181(a)(1) from actions or requirements of examiners
- Petitions under 37 CFR 1.550(c) for time extensions in ex parte reexaminations
- Petitions under 37 CFR 1.956 for time extensions in inter partes reexaminations
- Petitions under 37 CFR 1.59 to expunge papers
As stated in the MPEP: “authority to decide the following is delegated to the Director of the Central Reexamination Unit (CRU). Where specifically indicated, the authority is further delegated to the CRU Supervisory Patent Reexamination Specialists (SPRS) as noted below.”
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