What are the recommended search engines for patent examiners?
According to MPEP 904.02(c), patent examiners are encouraged to use the following search engines for their research:
- Google: A widely-used general-purpose search engine
- Google Scholar: Specifically for academic and scientific literature
- Bing: Microsoft’s search engine, offering an alternative perspective
- DuckDuckGo: A privacy-focused search engine
The MPEP states: “Examiners are encouraged to use the most effective search tools available, which include, in addition to USPTO internal tools, internet search engines … such as Google, Google Scholar, Bing, and DuckDuckGo.” This list provides examiners with a range of options to conduct comprehensive internet searches.
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