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2237 Transfer Procedure [R-7] - 2200 Citation of Prior Art and Ex Parte Reexamination of Patents
2237 Transfer Procedure [R-7]
Although the number of reexamination requests which must be transferred should be very small, the following procedures have been established for an expeditious resolution of any such problems.
A reexamination request is normally assigned >to< a Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) art unit which examines the technology (Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, etc.) in which the patent to be reexamined is currently classified as an original. If the CRU **>Supervisory Patent Examiner (SPE)< (to whose art unit the reexamination has been assigned) believes that the reexamination should be assigned to another art unit, he or she must obtain the consent of the CRU *>SPE< of the art unit to which a transfer is desired. Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 305, all ex parte reexamination proceedings must be conducted with special dispatch within the Office. This applies to the transfer of reexamination proceedings. Accordingly, the CRU *>SPE< to whose art unit the reexamination has been assigned should expeditiously make any request for transfer of a reexamination proceeding ** to the CRU *>SPE< of the art unit to which a transfer is desired (the "new" art unit). Further, the *>SPE< to whose art unit the reexamination has been assigned should hand-carry any paper patent file for the reexamination proceeding to the CRU *>SPE< of the art unit to which a transfer is desired. Any conflict which cannot be resolved by the *>SPEs< will be resolved by the CRU Director.
If the "new" art unit accepts assignment of the reexamination request, the "new" CRU *>SPE< assigns the request to an examiner in that unit.
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