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2670 Clerical Handling [R-07.2015]

Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) technical support staff will carry out clerical handling and processing of inter partes reexamination cases. The technical support staff will perform all PALM matters needed for the case, e.g., PALMing in the file and PALMing it to the examiner. After the examiner has completed a decision on the request for inter partes reexamination and/or an Office action, the technical support staff will process for mailing the decision and/or Office action to the patent owner and to the third party requester(s), if needed. The technical support staff will also mail any copies of any references which are needed. A transmittal form PTOL-2070 with the third party requester’s address will be completed. The technical support staff will coordinate its activities with those of the examiner and the CRU Supervisory Patent Reexamination Specialists (SPRSs) or Technology Center (TC) Quality Assurance Specialists (QASs) and the paralegals.

See MPEP §§ 2234 and 2250 for manner of entering amendments.

For entry of amendments in a merged inter partes reexamination proceeding (i.e., an inter partes reexamination proceeding merged with another reexamination proceeding or with a reissue application), see MPEP §§ 2686.01 and 2686.03.

Where an amendment is submitted in proper form and it is otherwise appropriate to enter the amendment, the amendment will be entered for purposes of the reexamination proceeding, even though the amendment does not have legal effect until the certificate is issued. Any “new matter” amendment to the disclosure (35 U.S.C. 132) will be required to be canceled, and claims containing new matter will be rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112. A “new matter” amendment to the drawing is ordinarily not entered. See MPEP §§ 608.04, 608.04(a) and 608.04(c). Where an amendment enlarges the scope of the claims of the patent, the claims will be rejected under 35 U.S.C. 314(a).

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Last Modified: 02/16/2023 12:58:26