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713.02 Interviews Prior to First Official Action [R-6] - 700 Examination of Applications
713.02 Interviews Prior to First Official Action [R-6]
A request for an interview prior to the first Office action is ordinarily granted in continuing or substitute applications. In all other applications, an interview before the first Office action **>is encouraged where< the examiner determines that such an interview would advance prosecution of the application. Thus, the examiner may require that an applicant requesting an interview before the first Office action provide a paper that includes a general statement of the state of the art at the time of the invention, and an identification of no more than three (3) references believed to be the "closest" prior art and an explanation as to how the broadest claim distinguishes over such references. See 37 CFR 1.133(a).
I. SEARCHING IN GROUP
Search in the Technology Center art unit should be permitted only with the consent of a primary examiner.
II. EXPOUNDING PATENT LAW
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office cannot act as an expounder of the patent law, nor as a counselor for individuals.
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