### Question
Can you define what informal hearing means?


### Answer
**Informal hearing** is defined as the following in *35 U.S.C. § 156*:

> prescribed for such term by section 201(y) [4](#156_4_target) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

#### Citation:
  - *35 U.S.C. § 156*
  - Heading: **PART II-PATENTABILITY OF INVENTIONS AND GRANT OF PATENTS > CHAPTER 14-ISSUE OF PATENT**

