[Patentpractice] USPTO second interview policy

[Suzannah K. Sundby]

Seems to me that maybe they are trying to reduce pendency and internal paper processing with reduced staff/examiners…

Takes a lot less time to have an hour interview to iron out little stuff to get to allowance than to write up another OA, process the OA, mail & scan, then process the incoming response, etc.  And if a Final, well then… write that up, process, mail & scan, process response, do all the same with an Advisory (bc of claim amendments)… process the RCE… etc.

Suzannah K. Sundby<http://www.linkedin.com/in/ssundby/> | Partner
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From: Patentpractice <patentpractice-bounces at oppedahl-lists.com> On Behalf Of Carl Oppedahl via Patentpractice
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2025 10:57 PM
To: For patent practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice. <patentpractice at oppedahl-lists.com>
Cc: Carl Oppedahl <carl at oppedahl.com>
Subject: Re: [Patentpractice] USPTO second interview policy

On 10/20/2025 8:11 PM, Benjamin Keim via Patentpractice wrote:
I just heard from a SPE that:
Acting Commissioner Valencia Martin Wallace sent out instructions today to the examiners that they are required to conduct interviews when they are requested by the applicant in order to further prosecution. Hopefully, you and all other practitioners don't experience a detrimental impact.

Thank you for posting.

I wonder if the Examiners will get "an hour" for the interview like in the old days?  Or are the Examiners being instructed to do it for free?


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