Part One: What are the current time-lags for decisions in ex parte appeals in ordinary applications, and in reexaminations?
All appeals in reexamination proceedings are handled as “special” cases at the Board. That is, they are reviewed and docketed ahead of other appeals and are marked as special on the docket listings sent monthly to each APJ. The most recent reports indicate that there are presently seventeen appeals in reexamination proceedings at the Board awaiting decision. With regard to ex parte appeals generally, the answer depends, in part, on whether the subject matter of the involved application is from the mechanical, electrical, chemical or biotechnology Technology Centers. The board is most current for cases coming from the mechanical areas (TCs 3600 and 3700) and least current in the chemical area (TC 1700) and biotechnology area (TC 1600), although rapid strides are being made on biotechnology appeals. As of the beginning of June 2001, the great majority of chemical appeals now at the board arrived at the board in FY 1998 or later. As of the beginning of June 2001, the great majority of bio
