Just wanted to see how quickly they'd respond to a question. Took less than 24hrs. I was playing dumb (ez for me) and asking how an already reexamined/approved patent could again be reexamined.
This was their response
---- USPTOInfo@uspto.gov wrote:
> Statutory basis for citation of prior art patents or printed publications in patent files and reexamination of patents became available on July 1, 1981, as a result of new sections 301-307 of title 35 United States Code which were added by Public Law 96-517 enacted on December 12, 1980. The rules of practice in patent cases relating to reexamination were initially promulgated on April 30, 1981, at 46 FR 24179-24180 and on May 29, 1981, at 46 FR 29176-29187.
>
> On November 29, 1999, Public Law 106-113 was enacted, and expanded reexamination by providing an "inter partes" option. Public Law 106-113 authorized the extension of reexamination proceedings via an optional inter partes reexamination procedure in addition to the present ex parte reexamination. 35 U.S.C. 311 - 318 are directed to the optional inter partes reexamination procedures. The final rules to implement the optional inter partes reexamination were published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2000 at 65 FR 76756 and in the Official Gazette on January 2, 2001 at 1242 OG 12.
>
> Please see: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/documents/2200_2201.htm and http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/documents/2600.htm.
>
> If you have any further questions or if you require additional information, please call the USPTO Contact Center at 1-800-786-9199 or (571) 272-1000 and reference the following Service Request number: 1-155019291. Thank you for your inquiry.