This whole process is not sitting well with me. I see it as the requester for an ex-parte reexam getting to appeal a decision of the USPTO which is clearly against the rules. We were given our NIRC and now just the fact that the examiner is considering the validity of yet another relevent, or irrelevent determination of SNQ concerning prior art that has already been reviewed is a way of allowing those with power and influence to usurp the system. There must be all kinds of pressure and things going on behind the scenes or why else would the USPTO even consider this latest reexam request. And if that is the case, that to is also against the rules. As far as I know the only communication allowed between the USPTO and the requester is the request itself. Some things just smell.