A reply to the patent owner's statement under Sec. 1.530 may be filed by the ex parte reexamination requester within two months from the date of service of the patent owner's statement. Any reply by the ex parte requester must be served upon the patent owner in accordance with Sec. 1.248. If the patent owner does not file a statement under Sec. 1.530, no reply or other submission from the ex parte reexamination requester will be considered. [65 FR 76776, Dec. 7, 2000]