Doll told a session on patent quality at the 11th FICPI Open Forum in Florence, Italy that problems that seem insoluble in written correspondence can often be resolved quickly in a face-to-face meeting.
He revealed that the USPTO is to train examiners on doing better interviews from next month.
The Organisation is also developing video-conferencing facilities for distance interviews.
In a pilot programme, the Office is inviting some applicants for interviews after the first office action, when an initial search report is sent.
And, in response to a question from the audience, Doll said examiners should not use excuses, such as end-of-quarter deadlines, as reasons not to hold interviews.
“That’s not a good excuse,” he said. “I don’t like any excuses. Give us an opportunity to correct that.”
And, he added, it is not only the examiner handling the application who can take part in interviews: “You can also ask for a supervisor and technology specialist to be there.”
The FICPI Open Forum is being held in Florence this week, and is being attended by patent and trade mark attorneys from around the world.
