Sterne Kessler’s Reissue, Reexamination, and Supplemental Examination Practice Tips – July 2024

In the mid-2000s, the U.S. Patent Office (USPTO) determined that reexaminations would be more consistent and legally correct if performed by a centralized set of experienced and specially trained Examiners. As a result, the USPTO formed the Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) and staffed it with 15 year+ Examiners and legal experts. Later, after the loss of Inter Partes Reexamination in 2012, the USPTO added all newly filed reissue applications to the CRU Examiner’s regime.

Sterne Kessler’s utility and design reissue, reexamination, and supplemental examination team will share practice tips and insights into prosecuting these proceedings before this specialized examination group within the USPTO.

This month, we explain Streamlined Reexamination Requests and how it can benefit reexamination requesters as well as the original patent doctrine’s implications on reissue claims. All articles are co-authored by Jessica Harrison, a 25+ year USPTO veteran and former CRU Supervisory Patent Reexamination Specialists.

In This Issue:

• What is a Streamlined Reexamination Request (SRR)?
• Reissue and the Original Patent Doctrine

The CRU Insider’s Tip of the Month: General questions about CRU applications or proceedings may be directed to the CRU’s Helpdesk at 571-272-7705.