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特許法改正によって異議申立制度が創設されました。
異議申立制度は、改正法のSection 6(d)-(f)に規定されています。
2012/9/16以降に請求可能です。
§ 321. Post-grant review
(a) IN GENERAL. ―Subject to the provisions of this chapter, a person who is not the owner of a patent may file with the Office a petition to institute a post-grant review of the patent. The Director shall establish, by regulation, fees to be paid by the person requesting the review, in such amounts as the Director determines to be reasonable, considering the aggregate costs of the post-grant review.
特許権者以外の者が請求できる。
(b) SCOPE. ―A petitioner in a post-grant review may request to cancel as unpatentable 1 or more claims of a patent on any ground that could be raised under paragraph (2) or (3) of section 282 (b) (relating to invalidity of the patent or any claim).
全ての無効理由に基づいて請求できる(注：Section 282(b)は現状のSection 282と同じ内容。改正法p51参照)。
(c) FILING DEADLINE. ―A petition for a post-grant review may only be filed not later than the date that is 9 months after the date of the grant of the patent or of the issuance of a reissue patent (as the case may be).
特許発行後９ヶ月以内に請求できる。