Legal Definitions - Office of Initial Patent Examination

The Office of Initial Patent Examination (OIPE) is a department within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that is responsible for reviewing new patent applications. The OIPE checks to make sure that the application is in the correct format, determines the appropriate fee, and assigns the application to an examining group.

For example, if someone invents a new type of phone case and wants to patent it, they would submit an application to the OIPE. The OIPE would review the application to make sure it is complete and in the correct format. They would also determine the appropriate fee for the application and assign it to an examining group that specializes in phone cases.

The OIPE plays an important role in the patent application process by ensuring that all applications are properly reviewed and assigned to the appropriate examining group. This helps to ensure that patents are granted fairly and efficiently.