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ARTICLE · 25 JULY 2024

Supercharge Patent Prosecution With Examiner Interviews

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Examiner interviews are an optional but important and effective part of patent examination process that are beneficially conducted early and, in some cases, more than once during patent prosecution.

United StatesIntellectual Property
Mindy Rittner Ph.D.
Mindy Rittner Ph.D.
Thomas Williams
Thomas Williams
Marc Richards
Marc Richards

What You Need to Know

Key takeaway#1

Examiner interviews may help minimize the time and costs associated with patent prosecution and expedite allowance.

Examiner interviews are an optional but important and effective part of patent examination process that are beneficially conducted early and, in some cases, more than once during patent prosecution. Interviews are in-person, telephone or online conferences between the Examiner and the patent attorney or patent agent representing the patent applicant. When conducted early in the patent examination process, interviews may reduce the time required to obtain a patent and increase the odds of obtaining an allowance. As discussed below, interviews can help foster a cooperative interaction with the examiner to supercharge the prosecution process.

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