35 USC 312
Determination of issue by Director

Executive summary:

This document contains one section of the U.S. Patent Act (found in Title 35 of the United States Code). This page was last updated in November 2005. All of the sections of the Patent Act are listed on the Index page. A Word Index is also available to the Patent Act.

For more information on patent law, please see the Patent or Software Patent Sections of BitLaw.

Previous Section (§311) | Next Section (§313)

§312. Determination of issue by Director

(a)

Reexamination. Not later than 3 months after the filing of a request for inter partes reexamination under section 311 [35 USC 311], the Director shall determine whether a substantial new question of patentability affecting any claim of the patent concerned is raised by the request, with or without consideration of other patents or printed publications. The existence of a substantial new question of patentability is not precluded by the fact that a patent or printed publication was previously cited by or to the Office or considered by the Office.

(b)

Record. A record of the Director's determination under subsection (a) shall be placed in the official file of the patent, and a copy shall be promptly given or mailed to the owner of record of the patent and to the third-party requester.

(c)

Final decision. A determination by the Director under subsection (a) shall be final and non-appealable. Upon a determination that no substantial new question of patentability has been raised, the Director may refund a portion of the inter partes reexamination fee required under section 311 [35 USC 311].