Who processes reexamination requests in the USPTO?
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.
Reexamination requests are processed by designated personnel in the Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) or Technology Centers (TCs). According to MPEP 2233:
“The working groups in the Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) or Technology Centers (TCs) have designated the legal instrument examiners and paralegals to act as reexamination clerks, as part of their assigned duties, and thus to perform those clerical duties and responsibilities in the groups which are unique to reexamination.“
Additionally, TC Quality Assurance Specialists (QASs) or CRU Supervisory Patent Reexamination Specialists (SPRSs) and CRU Paralegal Specialists oversee the clerical processing and serve as resources for questions.