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2635 Record Systems [Added R-2] - 2600 Optional Inter Partes Reexamination
2635 Record Systems [Added R-2]
The Patent Application Locating and Monitoring (PALM) system is used to support the reexamination process. The sections below delineate PALM related activities.
(A) Reexamination File Data on PALM - The routine PALM retrieval transactions are used to obtain data on reexamination files. From the USPTO Intranet site http://ptoweb/ptointranet/index.htm "PALM" and then "General Information" which opens the PALM INTRANET General Information Display. From here, enter the patent number in the box labeled Patent #. Then click on "Search" and when the "Patent Number Information" appears, click on "Continuity Data" to obtain the reexamination number.
(B) Reexamination File Location Control - The location of a reexamination file is monitored in the same manner as regular patent application files. Certain PALM transaction differ between regular patent applications and reexamination files. For example, there are separate folders in PALM EXPO for reexaminations and for regular patent applications. In PRE-EXAM, there is a reexamination/reissue folder which does not apply to regular patent applications. Note also that some of the data entry for reexamination in PALM PRE EXAM is different from that of a regular patent application. There are also differences in the status codes - all reexamination proceedings have status codes in the "400" range, while patent applications have status codes ranging from "020" to over "100."
(C) Patent File Location Control - The movement of patent files related to requests for reexamination throughout the Office is monitored by the PALM system in the normal fashion. The reexamination file and patent file will be kept together, from initial receipt until the reexamination is assigned to an examiner for determination. At this point, the patent file will be charged to the examiner assigned the reexamination file, and the patent file will be kept in the examiner's room until the proceeding is terminated. After the reexamination proceeding has been terminated, the patent file should be forwarded by the examiner, via the SPRE, with the reexamination file to the Central Reexamination Unit (CRU). After review and processing in the CRU and by the Office of Patent Legal Administration as appropriate, the patent and reexamination files will be forwarded to the Office of Publications. The Office of Publications will forward the patent file and the reexamination file to the Record Room after printing of the certificate.
(D) Reporting Events to PALM - The PALM system is used to monitor major events that take place in processing reexamination proceedings. All major examination events are reported. The mailing of examiner's actions are reported, as well as owner's responses and third party requester comments. The CRU support staff, and the Technology Center (TC) reexamination clerks and paralegals, are responsible for reporting these events using the reexamination icon and window initiated in the PALM EXPO program. Events that will be reported include the following:
(1) Determination Mailed-Denial of request for reexamination;
(2) Determination Mailed-Grant of request for reexamination;
(3) Petition for reconsideration of determination received;
(4) Decision on petition mailed-Denied;
(5) Decision on petition mailed-Granted;
(6) Mailing of all examiner actions;
(7) Patent owner responses to Office Actions
(8) Third party requester comments after a patent owner response.
All events will be permanently recorded and displayed in the "Contents" portion of PALM. In addition, status representative of these events will also be displayed.(E) Status Reports - Various weekly "tickler" reports can be generated for each TC, given the event reporting discussed above. The primary purpose of these computer outputs is to assure that reexaminations are, in fact, processed with "special dispatch".
(F) Historical Reporting - A variety of historical reports are possible given the event recording described above. Thus, such statistics as the number of requests for inter partes reexamination filed and determinations made in a specified period or number or kind of reexaminations in which an appeal was filed can be made available.
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