2307.04 Additional Parties to Interference [R-08.2017]

During the course of an interference, the examiner may come across applications or patents of parties that claim the same invention, but are not already involved in the interference. If so, the examiner should consult with an Interference Practice Specialist (IPS) and prepare a referral of the suggested interference to the Board in the same way that a referral is prepared in the first instance.