Manual of Patent Examining Procedure - MPEP

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2300 Interference Proceedings

2304.03 Patentee Suggestion

37 CFR 41.202 Suggesting an interference.

(b) Patentee. A patentee cannot suggest an interference under this section but may, to the extent permitted under § 1.99 and § 1.291 of this title, alert the examiner of an application claiming interfering subject matter to the possibility of an interference.


A patentee may not suggest an interference unless it becomes an applicant by filing a reissue application. A patentee may, however, to the limited extent permitted under 37 CFR  1.99 and 1.291, alert an examiner to the existence of interfering claims in an application. See MPEP § 1134 and § 1901.

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