35 U.S.C. 314   Institution of inter partes review.

  • (a) THRESHOLD.—The Director may not authorize an inter partes review to be instituted unless the Director determines that the information presented in the petition filed under section 311  and any response filed under section 313  shows that there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.
  • (b) TIMING.—The Director shall determine whether to institute an inter partes review under this chapter pursuant to a petition filed under section 311  within 3 months after—
    • (1) receiving a preliminary response to the petition under section 313; or
    • (2) if no such preliminary response is filed, the last date on which such response may be filed.
  • (c) NOTICE.—The Director shall notify the petitioner and patent owner, in writing, of the Director’s determination under subsection (a), and shall make such notice available to the public as soon as is practicable. Such notice shall include the date on which the review shall commence.
  • (d) NO APPEAL.—The determination by the Director whether to institute an inter partes review under this section shall be final and nonappealable.

(Added Nov. 29, 1999, Public Law 106-113, sec. 1000(a)(9), 113 Stat. 1501A-570 (S. 1948 sec. 4604(a)); subsection (b)(1) amended Nov. 2, 2002, Public Law 107-273, sec. 13202, 116 Stat. 1901; amended Sept. 16, 2011, Public Law 112-29, sec. 6(a) (effective Sept. 16, 2012), 125 Stat. 284.)