If, in a determination made under the provisions of subsection 303(a), the Director finds that a substantial new question of patentability affecting any claim of a patent is raised, the determination will include an order for reexamination of the patent for resolution of the question. The patent owner will be given a reasonable period, not less than two months from the date a copy of the determination is given or mailed to him, within which he may file a statement on such question, including any amendment to his patent and new claim or claims he may wish to propose, for consideration in the reexamination. If the patent owner files such a statement, he promptly will serve a copy of it on the person who has requested reexamination under the provisions of section 302. Within a period of two months from the date of service, that person may file and have considered in the reexamination a reply to any statement filed by the patent owner. That person promptly will serve on the patent owner a copy of any reply filed.
Pub. L. 96–517, § 194 Stat. 3016Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4732(a)(10)(A)]113 Stat. 1536Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title III, § 13206(b)(1)(B)116 Stat. 1906Pub. L. 112–29, § 20(j)125 Stat. 335(Added , , ; amended , , , 1501A–582; , , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
Pub. L. 112–292011— struck out “of this title” after “303(a)” and after “302”.
Pub. L. 107–273Pub. L. 106–1132002— made technical correction to directory language of . See 1999 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 106–113Pub. L. 107–2731999—, as amended by , substituted “Director” for “Commissioner” in section catchline and text.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2011 Amendment
Pub. L. 112–29lPub. L. 112–29section 2 of this titleAmendment by effective upon the expiration of the 1-year period beginning on , and applicable to proceedings commenced on or after that effective date, see section 20() of , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Pub. L. 106–113Pub. L. 106–113section 1 of this titleAmendment by effective 4 months after , see section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4731] of , set out as a note under .
Effective Date
section 8(b) of Pub. L. 96–517section 41 of this titleSection effective , and applicable to patents in force as of , or issued thereafter, see , set out as an Effective Date of 1980 Amendment note under .