{"section":{"filename":"s1701.html","chapter":"1700","section_number":"1701","title":"Office Personnel Not To Express Opinion on Validity, Patentability, Expiration Date, or Enforceability of Patent","revision_tag":"R-10.2019","bytes":41097,"sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","subsection_count":1,"max_depth":1,"subsections":[{"number":"1701.01","title":"Office Personnel Not To Testify","revision_tag":"R-10.2019","depth":1}]},"quality":"structured","cited_authorities":{"file_section":"1701","cases":[{"key":"case:61f.r.d.321","slug":"fischer-porter-co-v-corning-glass-works","short_name":"Fischer & Porter Co. v. Corning Glass Works","canonical_citation":"61 F.R.D. 321 (E.D. Pa. 1974)","decision_year":1974,"court":"E.D. Pa.","holding_summary":"USPTO employees authorized to testify are limited to facts within their personal knowledge; they may not give expert or opinion testimony, including opinions on patent validity, or answer hypothetical or speculative questions.","holding_confidence":"high","mentions":1,"propositions":["PTO employee testimony limited to personal-knowledge facts; no expert or opinion testimony"]},{"key":"case:162uspq86","slug":"in-re-mayewsky","short_name":"In re Mayewsky","canonical_citation":"162 USPQ 86 (E.D. Va. 1969)","decision_year":1969,"court":"E.D. Va.","holding_summary":"A deposition of a patent examiner must be restricted to relevant matters of fact and must avoid hypothetical or speculative questions or conclusions based thereon.","holding_confidence":"high","mentions":1,"propositions":["examiner deposition restricted to fact; avoid hypothetical or speculative questions"]},{"key":"case:167uspq170","slug":"shaffer-tool-works-v-joy-mfg-co","short_name":"Shaffer Tool Works v. Joy Mfg. Co.","canonical_citation":"167 USPQ 170 (S.D. Tex. 1970)","decision_year":1970,"court":"S.D. Tex.","holding_summary":"A deposition of a patent examiner should be limited to matters of fact and must not go into hypothetical or speculative areas or the bases, reasons, mental processes, analyses, or conclusions of the examiner in acting on an application.","holding_confidence":"high","mentions":1,"propositions":["examiner deposition limited to fact; not mental processes, reasoning, or conclusions"]},{"key":"case:313u.s.409","slug":"united-states-v-morgan","short_name":"United States v. Morgan","canonical_citation":"313 U.S. 409 (1941)","decision_year":1941,"court":"SCOTUS","holding_summary":"It is improper to inquire into the mental processes of a quasi-judicial officer or to examine the manner and extent to which the officer considered an administrative record.","holding_confidence":"high","mentions":1,"propositions":["improper to inquire into the mental processes of a quasi-judicial officer"]},{"key":"case:860f.2d428","slug":"western-electric-co-v-piezo-technology-inc","short_name":"Western Electric Co. v. Piezo Technology, Inc.","canonical_citation":"860 F.2d 428 (Fed. Cir. 1988)","decision_year":1988,"court":"Fed. Cir.","holding_summary":"A patent examiner may not be compelled to answer questions that probe the examiner's technical knowledge of the subject matter of a patent.","holding_confidence":"high","mentions":1,"propositions":["examiner may not be compelled to answer questions probing technical knowledge"]},{"key":"case:650f.2d1216","slug":"mcculloch-gas-processing-co-v-department-of-energy","short_name":"McCulloch Gas Processing Co. v. Department of Energy","canonical_citation":"650 F.2d 1216 (Temp. Emer. Ct. App. 1981)","decision_year":1981,"court":"Temp. Emer. Ct. App.","holding_summary":"Discovery into the degree of expertise of individuals performing governmental functions is not permitted.","holding_confidence":"high","mentions":1,"propositions":["no discovery into the degree of expertise of officials performing governmental functions"]},{"key":"case:851f.2d1401","slug":"in-re-nilssen","short_name":"In re Nilssen","canonical_citation":"In re Nilssen, 851 F.2d 1401, 7 USPQ2d 1500 (Fed. Cir. 1988)","decision_year":1988,"court":"Fed. Cir.","holding_summary":"The technical or scientific qualifications of Board members are not legally relevant in an appeal of an examiner's rejection, because Board members need not be skilled in the art to render an obviousness decision.","holding_confidence":"high","mentions":1,"propositions":["examiners' technical qualifications not legally relevant to obviousness decisions (35 USC 134)"]},{"key":"case:352f.supp.116","slug":"lange-v-commissioner","short_name":"Lange v. Commissioner","canonical_citation":"352 F. Supp. 116 (D.D.C. 1972)","decision_year":1972,"court":"D.D.C.","holding_summary":"The technical qualifications of examiners-in-chief are not legally relevant in a civil action under 35 U.S.C. 145.","holding_confidence":"high","mentions":1,"propositions":["examiners-in-chief technical qualifications not relevant in a 35 USC 145 action"]}],"statutes":[{"key":"us_cfr:37:104.22","slug":"37-cfr-104-22","canonical_citation":"37 CFR 104.22(c)","mentions":3},{"key":"us_cfr:37:104.1","slug":"37-cfr-104-1","canonical_citation":"37 CFR 104.1","mentions":2},{"key":"us_cfr:37:104.21","slug":"37-cfr-104-21","canonical_citation":"37 CFR 104.21","mentions":2},{"key":"us_cfr:37:104","slug":"37-cfr-104","canonical_citation":"37 CFR Part 104, Subpart C","mentions":2},{"key":"us_usc:35:282","slug":"35-usc-282","canonical_citation":"35 U.S.C. 282","mentions":1},{"key":"us_usc:35:154","slug":"35-usc-154","canonical_citation":"35 U.S.C. 154","mentions":1},{"key":"us_usc:35:156","slug":"35-usc-156","canonical_citation":"35 U.S.C. 156","mentions":1},{"key":"us_usc:35:134","slug":"35-usc-134","canonical_citation":"35 U.S.C. 134","mentions":1},{"key":"us_usc:35:145","slug":"35-usc-145","canonical_citation":"35 U.S.C. 145","mentions":1},{"key":"us_cfr:37:104.23","slug":"37-cfr-104-23","canonical_citation":"37 CFR 104.23","mentions":1}],"cross_references":[{"key":"mpep:2701","section_number":"2701","title":"Patent Term","exists":true,"mentions":1}],"form_paragraphs":[]},"structured_data":{"nodes":[{"id":"se_z3ibnqve","node_type":"section","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","akn_urn":"/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!sec_1701","canonical_url":"https://mpep.io/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!sec_1701","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/se_z3ibnqve","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<h1>1701 Office Personnel Not To Express Opinion on Validity, Patentability, Expiration Date, or Enforceability of Patent</h1>","rendered_text_plain":"1701 Office Personnel Not To Express Opinion on Validity, Patentability, Expiration Date, or Enforceability of Patent","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162383","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"section_number":"1701","chapter":"1700","depth":0,"title":"Office Personnel Not To Express Opinion on Validity, Patentability, Expiration Date, or Enforceability of Patent","revision_tag":"R-10.2019","children_ids":["pb_xhomw4qt","ls_pbomqbqz","pb_mzo23ckx","pb_lb2pybt4","pb_ecrwms52","pb_yh5igmav","pb_cpv2ydgg","pb_sthprn4r","se_wxuymrif"]},{"id":"se_wxuymrif","node_type":"section","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","akn_urn":"/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!sec_1701_01","canonical_url":"https://mpep.io/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!sec_1701_01","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/se_wxuymrif","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<h1>1701.01 Office Personnel Not To Testify</h1>","rendered_text_plain":"1701.01 Office Personnel Not To Testify","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162459","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"section_number":"1701.01","chapter":"1700","depth":1,"title":"Office Personnel Not To Testify","revision_tag":"R-10.2019","parent_section_id":"se_z3ibnqve","children_ids":["pb_zwxnlhr4","pb_mqtnd7ul","pb_pyhqj2ss","pb_75gaz5vm","pb_7k5j4ebo","pb_qmvcu2lp","pb_fpq5zmla","pb_avlgzaex","ls_dtuq6evh","pb_fvi7tix6","ls_t5g6pjhq","pb_rxr3h5a6"]},{"id":"se_cb2722bj","node_type":"section","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","akn_urn":"/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!sec_2701","canonical_url":"https://mpep.io/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!sec_2701","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/se_cb2722bj","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<h1>2701 Patent Term</h1>","rendered_text_plain":"2701 Patent Term","provenance":{"source_file":"s2701.html","source_anchor":null,"source_sha256":"0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416|stub"},"section_number":"2701","chapter":"2700","depth":0,"title":"Patent Term","children_ids":[],"tags":["stub:cross_reference_target"]},{"id":"pb_xhomw4qt","node_type":"prose_block","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/pb_xhomw4qt","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<p>Every patent is presumed to be valid. See <b><a href=\"mpep-9015-appx-l.html#d0e305845\">35 U.S.C. 282</a></b>, first sentence. Public policy demands that every employee of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) refuse to express to any person any opinion as to the validity or invalidity of, or the patentability or unpatentability of any claim in any U.S. patent or the expiration date of any patent, except to the extent necessary to carry out:</p>","rendered_text_plain":"Every patent is presumed to be valid. See 35 U.S.C. 282, first sentence. Public policy demands that every employee of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) refuse to express to any person any opinion as to the validity or invalidity of, or the patentability or unpatentability of any claim in any U.S. patent or the expiration date of any patent, except to the extent necessary to carry out:","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162399","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"kind":"narrative","host_section_id":"se_z3ibnqve"},{"id":"ls_pbomqbqz","node_type":"list","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/ls_pbomqbqz","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<ul>...</ul>","rendered_text_plain":"(A)(B)(C)(D)(E)(F)(G)(H) enumerated list of exceptions","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"ch1700_it_2c322_18c1b_15a","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_style":"alpha_upper","nesting_depth":1,"parent_list_item_id":null,"host_section_id":"se_z3ibnqve","item_ids":["li_hlrgtx63","li_zkgb6qqz","li_52lziqoi","li_yrw6qamh","li_xojp3ccv","li_msc7hmcg","li_piqph5pr","li_qaque2py"]},{"id":"li_hlrgtx63","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_hlrgtx63","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(A) an examination of a non-reissue patent application where determination of the expiration date of a patent is necessary to conduct examination of the non-reissue patent application,</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(A) an examination of a non-reissue patent application where determination of the expiration date of a patent is necessary to conduct examination of the non-reissue patent application,","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"ch1700_it_2c322_18c1b_15a","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(A)","enumerator_ordinal":0,"parent_list_id":"ls_pbomqbqz"},{"id":"li_zkgb6qqz","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_zkgb6qqz","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(B) an examination of a reissue application of the patent,</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(B) an examination of a reissue application of the patent,","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162406","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(B)","enumerator_ordinal":1,"parent_list_id":"ls_pbomqbqz"},{"id":"li_52lziqoi","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_52lziqoi","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(C) a supplemental examination proceeding or reexamination proceeding to reexamine the patent,</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(C) a supplemental examination proceeding or reexamination proceeding to reexamine the patent,","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162410","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(C)","enumerator_ordinal":2,"parent_list_id":"ls_pbomqbqz"},{"id":"li_yrw6qamh","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_yrw6qamh","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(D) an interference or derivation proceeding involving the patent,</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(D) an interference or derivation proceeding involving the patent,","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162414","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(D)","enumerator_ordinal":3,"parent_list_id":"ls_pbomqbqz"},{"id":"li_xojp3ccv","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_xojp3ccv","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(E) a patent term adjustment or extension under 35 U.S.C. 154 and/or 35 U.S.C. 156 where determination of the expiration date of a patent is necessary to determine the adjustment or extension,</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(E) a patent term adjustment or extension under 35 U.S.C. 154 and/or 35 U.S.C. 156 where determination of the expiration date of a patent is necessary to determine the adjustment or extension,","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"ch1700_d22611_16a3c_19b","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(E)","enumerator_ordinal":4,"parent_list_id":"ls_pbomqbqz"},{"id":"li_msc7hmcg","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_msc7hmcg","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(F) a notification that a patent has expired for failure to pay maintenance fee,</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(F) a notification that a patent has expired for failure to pay maintenance fee,","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"ch1700_it_2c25b_285b4_2ea","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(F)","enumerator_ordinal":5,"parent_list_id":"ls_pbomqbqz"},{"id":"li_piqph5pr","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_piqph5pr","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(G) a consideration of a request under the regulations (e.g., a petition) wherein determination of patent term is necessary or arises as an ancillary matter, or</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(G) a consideration of a request under the regulations (e.g., a petition) wherein determination of patent term is necessary or arises as an ancillary matter, or","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"ch1700_it_2c25b_28651_2b6","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(G)","enumerator_ordinal":6,"parent_list_id":"ls_pbomqbqz"},{"id":"li_qaque2py","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_qaque2py","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(H) an inter partes or post-grant review of the patent.</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(H) an inter partes or post-grant review of the patent.","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"ch1700_it_2c25b_2869f_2e5","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(H)","enumerator_ordinal":7,"parent_list_id":"ls_pbomqbqz"},{"id":"pb_mzo23ckx","node_type":"prose_block","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/pb_mzo23ckx","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<p>The question of validity or invalidity is otherwise exclusively a matter to be determined by a court. Likewise, the question of enforceability or unenforceability is exclusively a matter to be determined by a court. Members of the patent examining corps are cautioned to be especially wary of any inquiry from any person outside the USPTO, including an employee of another U.S. government agency, the answer to which might indicate that a particular patent should not have issued. No USPTO employee may pursue a bounty offered by a private sector source for identifying prior art. The acceptance of payments from outside sources for prior art search activities may subject the employee to administrative disciplinary action.</p>","rendered_text_plain":"The question of validity or invalidity is otherwise exclusively a matter to be determined by a court. Likewise, the question of enforceability or unenforceability is exclusively a matter to be determined by a court. Members of the patent examining corps are cautioned to be especially wary of any inquiry from any person outside the USPTO, including an employee of another U.S. government agency, the answer to which might indicate that a particular patent should not have issued. No USPTO employee may pursue a bounty offered by a private sector source for identifying prior art. The acceptance of payments from outside sources for prior art search activities may subject the employee to administrative disciplinary action.","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162418","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"kind":"narrative","host_section_id":"se_z3ibnqve"},{"id":"pb_lb2pybt4","node_type":"prose_block","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/pb_lb2pybt4","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<p>Office employees may provide factual information regarding the calculation of patent term in <b><span class=\"Underline\">general</span></b> (i.e., a design patent term is 15 years-from-grant if the underlying design patent application was filed on or after May 13, 2015, and 14 years-from-grant if the design application was filed earlier). However, office employees should refuse to provide a determination or express an opinion addressing any patent owner or public inquiries as to a <b><span class=\"Underline\">specific</span></b> patent's expiration date, except as provided above in items A-H. A number of factors may affect calculation of a patent term expiration date, both pre- and post-issuance, that may create difficulty in accurately calculating the term of a patent. In the event of any inquiries, the USPTO has provided a downloadable patent term calculator as a resource to help the public estimate the expiration date of a patent at <b><a href=\"https://www.uspto.gov/patent/laws-and-regulations/patent-term-calculator\" target=\"_blank\">www.uspto.gov/patent/laws-and-regulations/patent-term-calculator</a></b>. See also <b><a href=\"s2701.html#d0e271945\">MPEP § 2701</a></b>.</p>","rendered_text_plain":"Office employees may provide factual information regarding the calculation of patent term in general (i.e., a design patent term is 15 years-from-grant if the underlying design patent application was filed on or after May 13, 2015, and 14 years-from-grant if the design application was filed earlier). However, office employees should refuse to provide a determination or express an opinion addressing any patent owner or public inquiries as to a specific patent's expiration date, except as provided above in items A-H. A number of factors may affect calculation of a patent term expiration date, both pre- and post-issuance, that may create difficulty in accurately calculating the term of a patent. In the event of any inquiries, the USPTO has provided a downloadable patent term calculator as a resource to help the public estimate the expiration date of a patent at www.uspto.gov/patent /laws-and-regulations/ patent-term-calculator. See also MPEP § 2701.","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"ch1700_p_2c25b_28747_2c0","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"kind":"narrative","host_section_id":"se_z3ibnqve"},{"id":"pb_ecrwms52","node_type":"prose_block","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/pb_ecrwms52","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<p>When the examiner's action includes a field of search for an invention is requested, examiners should routinely inquire whether the invention has been patented in the United States. If the invention has been patented, no field of search should be suggested.</p>","rendered_text_plain":"When a field of search for an invention is requested, examiners should routinely inquire whether the invention has been patented in the United States. If the invention has been patented, no field of search should be suggested.","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162425","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"kind":"narrative","host_section_id":"se_z3ibnqve"},{"id":"pb_yh5igmav","node_type":"prose_block","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/pb_yh5igmav","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<p>Employees of the USPTO, particularly patent examiners who examined an application which matured into a patent or a reissued patent or who conducted a reexamination proceeding, should not discuss or answer inquiries from any person outside the USPTO as to whether or not a certain reference or other particular evidence was considered during the examination or proceeding and whether a claim would have been allowed over that reference or other evidence had it been considered during the examination or proceeding. Likewise, <i>employees</i> are cautioned against answering any inquiry concerning any entry in the patent or reexamination file, including the extent of the field of search and any entry relating thereto. The record of the file of a patent or reexamination proceeding must speak for itself.</p>","rendered_text_plain":"Employees of the USPTO, particularly patent examiners who examined an application which matured into a patent or a reissued patent or who conducted a reexamination proceeding, should not discuss or answer inquiries from any person outside the USPTO as to whether or not a certain reference or other particular evidence was considered during the examination or proceeding and whether a claim would have been allowed over that reference or other evidence had it been considered during the examination or proceeding. Likewise, employees are cautioned against answering any inquiry concerning any entry in the patent or reexamination file, including the extent of the field of search and any entry relating thereto. The record of the file of a patent or reexamination proceeding must speak for itself.","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162428","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"kind":"narrative","host_section_id":"se_z3ibnqve"},{"id":"pb_cpv2ydgg","node_type":"prose_block","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/pb_cpv2ydgg","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<p>Practitioners shall not make improper inquiries of members of the patent examining corps. Inquiries from members of the public relating to the matters discussed above must out of necessity be refused and such refusal should not be considered discourteous or an expression of opinion as to validity, patentability or enforceability.</p>","rendered_text_plain":"Practitioners shall not make improper inquiries of members of the patent examining corps. Inquiries from members of the public relating to the matters discussed above must out of necessity be refused and such refusal should not be considered discourteous or an expression of opinion as to validity, patentability or enforceability.","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162434","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"kind":"narrative","host_section_id":"se_z3ibnqve"},{"id":"pb_sthprn4r","node_type":"prose_block","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/pb_sthprn4r","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<p>The definitions set forth in <b><a href=\"mpep-9020-appx-r.html#d0e362137\">37 CFR 104.1</a></b> and the exceptions in <b><a href=\"mpep-9020-appx-r.html#d0e362334\">37 CFR 104.21</a></b> are applicable to this section.</p>","rendered_text_plain":"The definitions set forth in 37 CFR 104.1 and the exceptions in 37 CFR 104.21 are applicable to this section.","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162449","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"kind":"narrative","host_section_id":"se_z3ibnqve"},{"id":"pb_zwxnlhr4","node_type":"prose_block","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/pb_zwxnlhr4","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<p>It is the policy of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that its employees, including patent examiners, will not appear as witnesses or give testimony in legal proceedings, except under the conditions specified in <b><a href=\"mpep-9020-appx-r.html#d0e362330\">37 CFR Part 104, Subpart C</a></b>. The definitions set forth in <b><a href=\"mpep-9020-appx-r.html#d0e362137\">37 CFR 104.1</a></b> and the exceptions in <b><a href=\"mpep-9020-appx-r.html#d0e362334\">37 CFR 104.21</a></b> are applicable to this section. Any employee who testifies contrary to this policy will be <i>dismissed or removed.</i></p>","rendered_text_plain":"It is the policy of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that its employees, including patent examiners, will not appear as witnesses or give testimony in legal proceedings, except under the conditions specified in 37 CFR Part 104, Subpart C. The definitions set forth in 37 CFR 104.1 and the exceptions in 37 CFR 104.21 are applicable to this section. Any employee who testifies contrary to this policy will be dismissed or removed.","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162463","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"kind":"narrative","host_section_id":"se_wxuymrif"},{"id":"pb_mqtnd7ul","node_type":"prose_block","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/pb_mqtnd7ul","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<p>Whenever an employee of the USPTO, including a patent examiner, is asked to testify or receives a subpoena, the employee shall immediately notify the Office of the USPTO General Counsel. Inquiries requesting testimony shall be also referred immediately to the Office of the USPTO General Counsel.</p>","rendered_text_plain":"Whenever an employee of the USPTO, including a patent examiner, is asked to testify or receives a subpoena, the employee shall immediately notify the Office of the USPTO General Counsel. Inquiries requesting testimony shall be also referred immediately to the Office of the USPTO General Counsel.","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162482","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"kind":"narrative","host_section_id":"se_wxuymrif"},{"id":"pb_pyhqj2ss","node_type":"prose_block","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/pb_pyhqj2ss","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<p>Any individual desiring the testimony of an employee of the USPTO, including the testimony of a patent examiner or other quasi-judicial employee, must comply with the provisions of <b><a href=\"mpep-9020-appx-r.html#d0e362330\">37 CFR Part 104, Subpart C</a></b>.</p>","rendered_text_plain":"Any individual desiring the testimony of an employee of the USPTO, including the testimony of a patent examiner or other quasi-judicial employee, must comply with the provisions of 37 CFR Part 104, Subpart C.","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162489","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"kind":"narrative","host_section_id":"se_wxuymrif"},{"id":"pb_75gaz5vm","node_type":"prose_block","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/pb_75gaz5vm","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<p>A request by a third party to take deposition testimony of a patent examiner in a pending <i>ex parte</i> reexamination proceeding will generally be denied in view of the <i>ex parte</i> nature of the reexamination proceeding.</p>","rendered_text_plain":"A request by a third party to take deposition testimony of a patent examiner in a pending ex parte reexamination proceeding will generally be denied in view of the ex parte nature of the reexamination proceeding.","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162495","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"kind":"narrative","host_section_id":"se_wxuymrif"},{"id":"pb_7k5j4ebo","node_type":"prose_block","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/pb_7k5j4ebo","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<p>A request for testimony of an employee of the USPTO should be made to the Office of the USPTO General Counsel at least <b>ten (10) working days</b> prior to the date of the expected testimony.</p>","rendered_text_plain":"A request for testimony of an employee of the USPTO should be made to the Office of the USPTO General Counsel at least ten (10) working days prior to the date of the expected testimony.","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162504","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"kind":"narrative","host_section_id":"se_wxuymrif"},{"id":"pb_qmvcu2lp","node_type":"prose_block","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/pb_qmvcu2lp","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<p>Patent examiners and other USPTO employees performing or assisting in the performance of quasi-judicial functions, are forbidden to testify as experts or to express opinions as to the validity of any patent.</p>","rendered_text_plain":"Patent examiners and other USPTO employees performing or assisting in the performance of quasi-judicial functions, are forbidden to testify as experts or to express opinions as to the validity of any patent.","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162510","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"kind":"narrative","host_section_id":"se_wxuymrif"},{"id":"pb_fpq5zmla","node_type":"prose_block","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/pb_fpq5zmla","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<p>If an employee is authorized to testify, the employee will be limited to testifying about facts within the employee's personal knowledge. Employees are prohibited from giving expert or opinion testimony. Likewise, employees are prohibited from answering hypothetical or speculative questions. Fischer &amp; Porter Co. v. Corning Glass Works, 61 F.R.D. 321, 181 USPQ 329 (E.D. Pa. 1974). See also In re Mayewsky, 162 USPQ 86, 89 (E.D. Va. 1969) (deposition of an examiner must be restricted to relevant matters of fact and must avoid any hypothetical or speculative questions or conclusions based thereon); Shaffer Tool Works v. Joy Mfg. Co., 167 USPQ 170 (S.D. Tex. 1970) (deposition of examiner should be limited to matters of fact and must not go into hypothetical or speculative areas or the bases, reasons, mental processes, analyses, or conclusions of the examiner in acting upon a patent application). Employees will not be permitted to give testimony with respect to subject matter which is privileged. Several court decisions limit testimony with respect to quasi-judicial functions performed by employees. Those decisions include United States v. Morgan, 313 U.S. 409, 422 (1941) (improper to inquire into mental processes of quasi-judicial officer or to examine the manner and extent to which the officer considered an administrative record); Western Electric Co. v. Piezo Technology, Inc., 860 F.2d 428, 8 USPQ2d 1853 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (patent examiner may not be compelled to answer questions which probe the examiner's technical knowledge of the subject matter of a patent); McCulloch Gas Processing Co. v. Department of Energy, 650 F.2d 1216, 1229 (Temp. Emer. Ct. App. 1981) (discovery of degree of expertise of individuals performing governmental functions not permitted); In re Nilssen, 851 F.2d 1401, 7 USPQ2d 1500 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (technical or scientific qualifications of examiners-in-chief are not legally relevant in appeal under 35 U.S.C. 134 since board members need not be skilled in the art to render obviousness decision); Lange v. Commissioner, 352 F. Supp. 116, 176 USPQ 162 (D.D.C. 1972) (technical qualifications of examiners-in-chief not relevant in 35 U.S.C. 145 action).</p>","rendered_text_plain":"If an employee is authorized to testify, the employee will be limited to testifying about facts within the employee’s personal knowledge. Employees are prohibited from giving expert or opinion testimony. Likewise, employees are prohibited from answering hypothetical or speculative questions. Fischer & Porter Co. v.Corning Glass Works, 61 F.R.D. 321, 181 USPQ 329 (E.D. Pa. 1974). See also In re Mayewsky, 162 USPQ 86, 89 (E.D. Va. 1969) (deposition of an examiner must be restricted to relevant matters of fact and must avoid any hypothetical or speculative questions or conclusions based thereon); ShafferTool Works v. Joy Mfg. Co., 167 USPQ 170 (S.D. Tex. 1970) (deposition of examiner should be limited to matters of fact and must not go into hypothetical or speculative areas or the bases, reasons, mental processes, analyses, or conclusions of the examiner in acting upon a patent application). Employees will not be permitted to give testimony with respect to subject matter which is privileged. Several court decisions limit testimony with respect to quasi-judicial functions performed by employees. Those decisions include United States v. Morgan, 313 U.S. 409, 422 (1941) (improper to inquire into mental processes of quasi-judicial officer or to examine the manner and extent to which the officer considered an administrative record); Western Electric Co. v. Piezo Technology, Inc., 860 F.2d 428, 8 USPQ2d 1853 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (patent examiner may not be compelled to answer questions which probe the examiner’s technical knowledge of the subject matter of a patent); McCulloch Gas Processing Co. v. Department of Energy, 650 F.2d 1216, 1229 (Temp. Emer. Ct. App. 1981) (discovery of degree of expertise of individuals performing governmental functions not permitted); In re Nilssen, 851 F.2d 1401, 7 USPQ2d 1500 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (technical or scientific qualifications of examiners-in-chief are not legally relevant in appeal under 35 U.S.C. 134 since board members need not be skilled in the art to render obviousness decision); Lange v. Commissioner, 352 F. Supp. 116, 176 USPQ 162 (D.D.C. 1972) (technical qualifications of examiners-in-chief not relevant in 35 U.S.C. 145 action).","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162515","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"kind":"narrative","host_section_id":"se_wxuymrif"},{"id":"pb_avlgzaex","node_type":"prose_block","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/pb_avlgzaex","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<p>In view of the discussion above, if an employee is authorized to testify in connection with the employee's involvement or assistance in a quasi-judicial proceeding which took place before the USPTO, the employee will not be permitted to give testimony in response to questions that the Office determines are impermissible. Impermissible questions include, but are not limited to, questions directed to discovering the mental processes or expertise of a quasi-judicial official, such as:</p>","rendered_text_plain":"In view of the discussion above, if an employee is authorized to testify in connection with the employee’s involvement or assistance in a quasi-judicial proceeding which took place before the USPTO, the employee will not be permitted to give testimony in response to questions that the Office determines are impermissible. Impermissible questions include, but are not limited to, questions directed to discovering the mental processes or expertise of a quasi-judicial official, such as:","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162551","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"kind":"narrative","host_section_id":"se_wxuymrif"},{"id":"ls_dtuq6evh","node_type":"list","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/ls_dtuq6evh","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<ul>...(A)(B)(C)...</ul>","rendered_text_plain":"Top-level (A)(B)(C) list of impermissible inquiry categories","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162555","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_style":"alpha_upper","nesting_depth":1,"parent_list_item_id":null,"host_section_id":"se_wxuymrif","item_ids":["li_mrekkmaq","li_z52erj75","li_dlcqikj7"]},{"id":"li_mrekkmaq","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_mrekkmaq","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(A) Information about that employee's:</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(A) Information about that employee's:","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162555","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(A)","enumerator_ordinal":0,"parent_list_id":"ls_dtuq6evh","child_ids":["ls_xuo3hmnl"]},{"id":"li_z52erj75","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_z52erj75","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(B) To inquire into the manner in and extent to which the employee considered or studied material in performing a quasi-judicial function; or</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(B) To inquire into the manner in and extent to which the employee considered or studied material in performing a quasi-judicial function; or","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162615","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(B)","enumerator_ordinal":1,"parent_list_id":"ls_dtuq6evh"},{"id":"li_dlcqikj7","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_dlcqikj7","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(C) To inquire into the bases, reasons, mental processes, analyses, or conclusions of that Office employee in performing the quasi-judicial function.</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(C) To inquire into the bases, reasons, mental processes, analyses, or conclusions of that Office employee in performing the quasi-judicial function.","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162619","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(C)","enumerator_ordinal":2,"parent_list_id":"ls_dtuq6evh"},{"id":"ls_xuo3hmnl","node_type":"list","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/ls_xuo3hmnl","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<ul>(1)...(7)</ul>","rendered_text_plain":"Inner arabic list (1)-(7) under (A)","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162559","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_style":"arabic","nesting_depth":2,"parent_list_item_id":"li_mrekkmaq","host_section_id":"se_wxuymrif","item_ids":["li_pu2qrz7d","li_ngvvev7t","li_s3p4mhbs","li_lzcoaf67","li_gpje74hz","li_5dnrngsv","li_a3h5w5v3"]},{"id":"li_pu2qrz7d","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_pu2qrz7d","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(1) Background;</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(1) Background;","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162559","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(1)","enumerator_ordinal":0,"parent_list_id":"ls_xuo3hmnl"},{"id":"li_ngvvev7t","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_ngvvev7t","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(2) Expertise;</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(2) Expertise;","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162563","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(2)","enumerator_ordinal":1,"parent_list_id":"ls_xuo3hmnl"},{"id":"li_s3p4mhbs","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_s3p4mhbs","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(3) Qualifications to examine or otherwise consider a particular patent or trademark application;</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(3) Qualifications to examine or otherwise consider a particular patent or trademark application;","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162567","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(3)","enumerator_ordinal":2,"parent_list_id":"ls_xuo3hmnl"},{"id":"li_lzcoaf67","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_lzcoaf67","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(4) Usual practice or whether the employee followed a procedure set out in any Office manual of practice (including the MPEP or TMEP) in a particular case;</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(4) Usual practice or whether the employee followed a procedure set out in any Office manual of practice (including the MPEP or TMEP) in a particular case;","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162571","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(4)","enumerator_ordinal":3,"parent_list_id":"ls_xuo3hmnl"},{"id":"li_gpje74hz","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_gpje74hz","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(5) Consultation with another Office employee;</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(5) Consultation with another Office employee;","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162575","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(5)","enumerator_ordinal":4,"parent_list_id":"ls_xuo3hmnl"},{"id":"li_5dnrngsv","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_5dnrngsv","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(6) Understanding of:</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(6) Understanding of:","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162579","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(6)","enumerator_ordinal":5,"parent_list_id":"ls_xuo3hmnl","child_ids":["ls_ncicor7s"]},{"id":"li_a3h5w5v3","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_a3h5w5v3","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(7) Reliance on particular facts or arguments;</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(7) Reliance on particular facts or arguments;","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162611","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(7)","enumerator_ordinal":6,"parent_list_id":"ls_xuo3hmnl"},{"id":"ls_ncicor7s","node_type":"list","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/ls_ncicor7s","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<ul>(a)...(g)</ul>","rendered_text_plain":"Inner alpha-lower list (a)-(g) under (6)","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162583","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_style":"alpha_lower","nesting_depth":3,"parent_list_item_id":"li_5dnrngsv","host_section_id":"se_wxuymrif","item_ids":["li_5efmqy4z","li_5hm6ihkm","li_fse5mo5d","li_gb6boiqa","li_7snlco6d","li_5uquy3e4","li_lpdnqsd5"]},{"id":"li_5efmqy4z","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_5efmqy4z","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(a) A patented invention, an invention sought to be patented, or patent application, patent, reexamination or interference file;</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(a) A patented invention, an invention sought to be patented, or patent application, patent, reexamination or interference 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practice;","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162595","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(d)","enumerator_ordinal":3,"parent_list_id":"ls_ncicor7s"},{"id":"li_7snlco6d","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_7snlco6d","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(e) Office regulations;</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(e) Office regulations;","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162599","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(e)","enumerator_ordinal":4,"parent_list_id":"ls_ncicor7s"},{"id":"li_5uquy3e4","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_5uquy3e4","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(f) Patent, trademark, or other law; or</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(f) Patent, trademark, or other law; or","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162603","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(f)","enumerator_ordinal":5,"parent_list_id":"ls_ncicor7s"},{"id":"li_lpdnqsd5","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_lpdnqsd5","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(g) The responsibilities of another Office employee;</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(g) The responsibilities of another Office employee;","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162607","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(g)","enumerator_ordinal":6,"parent_list_id":"ls_ncicor7s"},{"id":"pb_fvi7tix6","node_type":"prose_block","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/pb_fvi7tix6","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<p>Any request for testimony addressed or delivered to the Office of the USPTO General Counsel shall comply with <b><a href=\"mpep-9020-appx-r.html#d0e362363\">37 CFR 104.22(c)</a></b>. All requests must be in <i>writing.</i> The need for a subpoena may be obviated where the request complies with <b><a href=\"mpep-9020-appx-r.html#d0e362363\">37 CFR 104.22(c)</a></b> if the party requesting the testimony further meets the following conditions:</p>","rendered_text_plain":"Any request for testimony addressed or delivered to the Office of the USPTO General Counsel shall comply with 37 CFR 104.22(c). All requests must be in writing. The need for a subpoena may be obviated where the request complies with 37 CFR 104.22(c) if the party requesting the testimony further meets the following conditions:","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162623","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"kind":"narrative","host_section_id":"se_wxuymrif"},{"id":"ls_t5g6pjhq","node_type":"list","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/ls_t5g6pjhq","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<ul>(A)...(E)</ul>","rendered_text_plain":"Conditions (A)-(E) for obviating subpoena","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162636","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_style":"alpha_upper","nesting_depth":1,"parent_list_item_id":null,"host_section_id":"se_wxuymrif","item_ids":["li_bbuqailv","li_otpiluyf","li_rius5xfj","li_v2qy5ot3","li_pnojn57z"]},{"id":"li_bbuqailv","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_bbuqailv","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(A) The party requesting the testimony identifies the civil action or other legal proceeding for which the testimony is being taken. The identification shall include the:</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(A) The party requesting the testimony identifies the civil action or other legal proceeding for which the testimony is being taken. The identification shall include the:","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162636","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(A)","enumerator_ordinal":0,"parent_list_id":"ls_t5g6pjhq","child_ids":["ls_ze7fo6qn"]},{"id":"li_otpiluyf","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_otpiluyf","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(B) The party agrees not to ask questions seeking information which is precluded by 37 CFR 104.23;</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(B) The party agrees not to ask questions seeking information which is precluded by 37 CFR 104.23;","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162660","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(B)","enumerator_ordinal":1,"parent_list_id":"ls_t5g6pjhq"},{"id":"li_rius5xfj","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_rius5xfj","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(C) The party shall comply with applicable provisions of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, including Rule 30, and give ten (10) working days notice to the Office of the USPTO General Counsel prior to the date a deposition is desired. Fifteen (15) working days notice is required for any deposition which is desired to be taken between November 15 and January 15;</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(C) The party shall comply with applicable provisions of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, including Rule 30, and give ten (10) working days notice to the Office of the USPTO General Counsel prior to the date a deposition is desired. Fifteen (15) working days notice is required for any deposition which is desired to be taken between November 15 and January 15;","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162667","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(C)","enumerator_ordinal":2,"parent_list_id":"ls_t5g6pjhq"},{"id":"li_v2qy5ot3","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_v2qy5ot3","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(D) The party agrees to notice the deposition at a place convenient to the USPTO. The Conference Room in the Office of the USPTO General Counsel is deemed to be a place convenient to the Office; and</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(D) The party agrees to notice the deposition at a place convenient to the USPTO. The Conference Room in the Office of the USPTO General Counsel is deemed to be a place convenient to the Office; and","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162671","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(D)","enumerator_ordinal":3,"parent_list_id":"ls_t5g6pjhq"},{"id":"li_pnojn57z","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_pnojn57z","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(E) The party agrees to supply a copy of the transcript of the deposition to the USPTO for its records.</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(E) The party agrees to supply a copy of the transcript of the deposition to the USPTO for its records.","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162675","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(E)","enumerator_ordinal":4,"parent_list_id":"ls_t5g6pjhq"},{"id":"ls_ze7fo6qn","node_type":"list","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/ls_ze7fo6qn","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<ul>(1)...(5)</ul>","rendered_text_plain":"Identification subparts (1)-(5)","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162640","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_style":"arabic","nesting_depth":2,"parent_list_item_id":"li_bbuqailv","host_section_id":"se_wxuymrif","item_ids":["li_jb4lor6x","li_n7c5dcpd","li_vlkq7yxl","li_fwo3ol3x","li_qjfcibkk"]},{"id":"li_jb4lor6x","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_jb4lor6x","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(1) Style of the case;</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(1) Style of the case;","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162640","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(1)","enumerator_ordinal":0,"parent_list_id":"ls_ze7fo6qn"},{"id":"li_n7c5dcpd","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_n7c5dcpd","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(2) Civil action number;</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(2) Civil action number;","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162644","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(2)","enumerator_ordinal":1,"parent_list_id":"ls_ze7fo6qn"},{"id":"li_vlkq7yxl","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_vlkq7yxl","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(3) District in which the civil action is pending;</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(3) District in which the civil action is pending;","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162648","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(3)","enumerator_ordinal":2,"parent_list_id":"ls_ze7fo6qn"},{"id":"li_fwo3ol3x","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_fwo3ol3x","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(4) Judge assigned to the case; and</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(4) Judge assigned to the case; and","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162652","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(4)","enumerator_ordinal":3,"parent_list_id":"ls_ze7fo6qn"},{"id":"li_qjfcibkk","node_type":"list_item","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/li_qjfcibkk","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<li>(5) Name, address, and telephone number of counsel for all parties in the civil action.</li>","rendered_text_plain":"(5) Name, address, and telephone number of counsel for all parties in the civil action.","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162656","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"enumerator_label":"(5)","enumerator_ordinal":4,"parent_list_id":"ls_ze7fo6qn"},{"id":"pb_rxr3h5a6","node_type":"prose_block","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/pb_rxr3h5a6","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<p>Absent a written agreement meeting the conditions specified in paragraphs (A) through (E), a party must comply with the precise terms of <b><a href=\"mpep-9020-appx-r.html#d0e362363\">37 CFR 104.22(c)</a></b> and the USPTO will not permit a deposition without issuance of a subpoena.</p>","rendered_text_plain":"Absent a written agreement meeting the conditions specified in paragraphs (A) through (E), a party must comply with the precise terms of 37 CFR 104.22(c) and the USPTO will not permit a deposition without issuance of a subpoena.","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162679","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"kind":"narrative","host_section_id":"se_wxuymrif"},{"id":"cs_tcml77il","node_type":"case","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/cs_tcml77il","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<span class='case-stub'>Fischer & Porter Co. v. Corning Glass Works, 61 F.R.D. 321 (E.D. Pa. 1974)</span>","rendered_text_plain":"Fischer & Porter Co. v. Corning Glass Works, 61 F.R.D. 321 (E.D. Pa. 1974)","provenance":{"source_file":"s1701.html","source_anchor":"d0e162515","source_sha256":"c5935665d981ce718cf7e06f8ee8f428847211c4c2ea8968d4518e0d3bbb9ef1","discovery_pass":"phase7_pass2_manual_20260416"},"short_name":"Fischer & Porter Co. v. Corning Glass Works","canonical_citation":"61 F.R.D. 321 (E.D. Pa. 1974)","all_citations":["61 F.R.D. 321","181 USPQ 329"],"court":"E.D. Pa.","decision_year":1974},{"id":"cs_okrnfjfl","node_type":"case","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/cs_okrnfjfl","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-10.2019","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"<span class='case-stub'>In re Mayewsky, 162 USPQ 86 (E.D. Va. 1969)</span>","rendered_text_plain":"In re Mayewsky, 162 USPQ 86 (E.D. 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