<I read what Kappos had to say but I don't think it really has any bearing on how long it is taking for the current 336 re-exam.>
The Director acknowledges the general importance of patents under reexamination and understands there are a lot of jobs tied up in the backlog. Then he goes on to say that there are some excellent opportunities to improve our internal processes and rules of practice to enable more efficient, and faster handling of the expanded reexamination workload.
What processes and rules of practice is he referring to? I would think it a bit narrow minded if the only process and rules he is concerned about is the proper way for 3rd parties to request reexams. But then, it is the USPTO, so who knows.
<was there ever a direct reply to the letter sent to him?>
No.
Opty