Patent Examiner Interviews


Summary

After a patent application is filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and during the stage in which the application is being examined by a patent examiner, it often can be helpful to conduct an interview with the examiner in an attempt to advance the prosecution of the application towards allowance. This practice note provides guidance for practitioners on when an interview with a patent examiner is permitted under USPTO rules, who can participate in the interview, practical tips on how to request and conduct an interview, what to do after the interview is conducted, and Patent Office programs that affect examiner interview practice.