一些美國審查/面詢程序的參考：
- 美國專利的面詢規定 - MPEP 713（https://enpan.blogspot.com/2017/08/mpep-713.html）
- 美國發明專利申請程序筆記（https://enpan.blogspot.com/2019/11/blog-post_21.html）
- 美國專利局線上面詢方案（https://enpan.blogspot.com/2016/03/blog-post_9.html）
關於面詢（美國），MPEP 713有完整的規範。
（https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s713.html）
細則37 CFR 1.133 Interviews.
(a)
(1) Interviews with examiners concerning applications and other matters pending before the Office must be conducted on Office premises and within Office hours, as the respective examiners may designate. Interviews will not be permitted at any other time or place without the authority of the Director.
(2) An interview for the discussion of the patentability of a pending application will not occur before the first Office action, unless the application is a continuing or substitute application or the examiner determines that such an interview would advance prosecution of the application.
(3) The examiner may require that an interview be scheduled in advance.
(b) In every instance where reconsideration is requested in view of an interview with an examiner, a complete written statement of the reasons presented at the interview as warranting favorable action must be filed by the applicant. An interview does not remove the necessity for reply to Office actions as specified in §§ 1.111 and 1.135.
根據37 CFR 1.133，與審查委員面詢/電詢的時間條件是：辦公時間，且需要USPTO長官授權審查委員約定時間與執行。
除了是延續案（如CA、DIV、CIP）外，或是審委自己判斷面詢有助專利審查外，一般申請案的面詢/電詢"不可以"在「第一次OA」前執行。
專利申請人應提出完整的陳述，面詢也不會避免必要的OA。
MPEP713內容很繁複，但從各段落的「標題」可以理解其中規定，針對這些標題，若有需求可進一步理解。
FORM：
Summary：（申請人請求、審查委員主動）
I. ITEMS REQUIRED IN A COMPLETE AND PROPER SUMMARY
The complete and proper recordation of the substance of any interview should include or be supplemented to include at least the following applicable items:
- (A) a brief description of the nature of any exhibit shown or any demonstration conducted;
- (B) identification of the claims discussed;
- (C) identification of specific prior art discussed;
- (D) identification of the principal proposed amendments of a substantive nature discussed (may refer to a copy attached to the Interview Summary form completed by the examiner);
- (E) the general thrust of the principal arguments of the applicant and the examiner should also be identified, even where the interview is initiated by the examiner. The identification of arguments need not be lengthy or elaborate. A verbatim or highly detailed description of the arguments is not required. The identification of the arguments is sufficient if the general nature or thrust of the principal arguments can be understood in the context of the application file. Of course, the applicant may desire to emphasize and fully describe those arguments which he or she feels were or might be persuasive to the examiner;
- (F) a general indication of any other pertinent matters discussed;
- (G) if appropriate, the general results or outcome of the interview; and
- (H) in the case of an interview via electronic mail a paper copy of the contents exchanged over the internet MUST be made and placed in the patent application file as required by the Federal Records Act in the same manner as an Examiner Interview Summary form is entered.
MPEP 713 Interviews
- 在第一次OA前執行面詢，但僅限於延續案，對於一般申請案，若審查委員認為有助專利審查，仍可以面詢（"Interviews Prior to First Official Action"）。
- 面詢的內容必須作成記錄（"Substance of Interview Must Be Made of Record"）。
- 拒絕或同意或特定狀況的面詢（"Interviews Prohibited or Granted, Special Situations"）：不准面詢的情況是已經發出訴願理由、已經發出核准通知；適當面詢的時機：申請人答辯前，可以提供可核准範圍，或是要幫助申請人判斷如何繼續審查程序；註冊代理人才可執行面詢。
- 在FOA與訴願通知之間執行的面詢，這部分面詢是討論如何核准專利，或是解決訴願前的議題，這期間的面詢若促進加速訴願審查與處理速度，即便是第二次，還是會同意執行面詢（"Interviews Between Final Rejection and Notice of Appeal"）。
- 專利領證後的修正，原則上不能准予面詢，因為已經不會是與原本審查委員進行面詢，此時，只有在特例中才會進行面詢（"Interview Preceding Filing Amendment Under 37 CFR 1.312"）。
Ron
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