35 U.S.C. § 324 - Institution of post-grant review

• Cite as: 35 U.S.C. § 324
• Currency: Current through P.L. 116-182 (10/21/2020)

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(a) THRESHOLD.-The Director may not authorize a post-grant review to be instituted unless the Director determines that the information presented in the petition filed under section 321, if such information is not rebutted, would demonstrate that it is more likely than not that at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition is unpatentable.

(b) ADDITIONAL GROUNDS.-The determination required under subsection (a) may also be satisfied by a showing that the petition raises a novel or unsettled legal question that is important to other patents or patent applications.

(c) TIMING.-The Director shall determine whether to institute a post-grant review under this chapter pursuant to a petition filed under section 321 within 3 months after-

(1) receiving a preliminary response to the petition under section 323; or

(2) if no such preliminary response is filed, the last date on which such response may be filed.