37 CFR §41.126
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)Parties to a contested case may resort to binding arbitration to determine any issue in a contested case. The Office is not a party to the arbitration. The Board is not bound and may independently determine questions of patentability, jurisdiction, and Office practice.
- (b)The Board will not authorize arbitration unless:
- (1)It is to be conducted according to Title 9 of the United States Code.
- (2)The parties notify the Board in writing of their intention to arbitrate.
- (3)The agreement to arbitrate:
- (i)Is in writing,
- (ii)Specifies the issues to be arbitrated,
- (iii)Names the arbitrator, or provides a date not more than 30 days after the execution of the agreement for the selection of the arbitrator, and
- (iv)Provides that the arbitrator's award shall be binding on the parties and that judgment thereon can be entered by the Board.
- (4)A copy of the agreement is filed within 20 days after its execution.
- (5)The arbitration is completed within the time the Board sets.
- (c)The parties are solely responsible for the selection of the arbitrator and the conduct of proceedings before the arbitrator.
- (d)Issues not disposed of by the arbitration will be resolved in accordance with the procedures established in this subpart.
- (e)The Board will not consider the arbitration award unless it:
- (f)Once the award is filed, the parties to the award may not take actions inconsistent with the award. If the award is dispositive of the contested subject matter for a party, the Board may enter judgment as to that party.