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DOC/PTO RIN: 0651-AC37 Publication ID: Spring 2011 
Title: Rules of Practice Before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences in Ex Parte Appeals; Request for Comments and Notice of Roundtable 
Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is modifying the current rules of practice with respect to ex parte appeals before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences. For example, this action: (1) Revises the rule so that the Board will presume that an appeal is taken from the rejection of all claims under rejection unless cancelled by an amendment filed by appellant; (2) revises the rule so that the Board will take jurisdiction upon the filing of a reply brief or the expiration of time in which to file such a reply brief, whichever is earlier; (3) deletes many of the appeal brief requirements and modifying the rules to make other requirements more flexible; (4) requires the examiner to designate any rejection in the answer that relies upon new evidence as a new ground of rejection; (5) allows an appellant to await a decision on a petition seeking review of an examiner's failure to designate a rejection in the answer as containing a new ground of rejection prior to filing a reply brief; and (6) eliminates the examiner's response to a reply brief. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 37 CFR 41 A and B    37 CFR 1.197   
Legal Authority: 35 USC 132 to 134    35 USC 2(b)(2)    35 USC 305 and 306    35 USC 6(6)    35 USC 6(b)   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
ANPRM  12/22/2009  74 FR 67987   
Second ANPRM  02/01/2010  75 FR 5012   
ANPRM Comment Period End  02/12/2010    
Second ANPRM Comment Period End  02/26/2010  75 FR 5012   
NPRM  11/15/2010  75 FR 69828   
NPRM Comment Period End  01/14/2011    
Final Action  09/00/2011    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Related RINs: Related to 0651-AC12 
Agency Contact:
Linda Horner
Administrative Patent Judge
Department of Commerce
Patent and Trademark Office
P.O. Box 1451,
Alexandria, VA 22313
Phone:571 272-4596
Fax:571 273-4596
Email: linda.horner@uspto.gov