Who has the authority to decide petitions in the Central Reexamination Unit?

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.

The authority to decide petitions in the Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) is primarily delegated to the Director of the CRU. However, some decisions are further delegated to the CRU Supervisory Patent Reexamination Specialists (SPRS).

According to the MPEP: “Where specifically indicated, the authority is further delegated to the CRU Supervisory Patent Reexamination Specialists (SPRS) as noted below.”

Specifically, the SPRS have authority to decide:

• Petitions for time extensions in ex parte reexaminations (37 CFR 1.550(c))
• Petitions for time extensions in inter partes reexaminations (37 CFR 1.956)
• Petitions to expunge papers (37 CFR 1.59)