Are USPTO employees allowed to accept bounties for identifying prior art?

No, USPTO employees are strictly prohibited from accepting bounties for identifying prior art. The MPEP 1701 clearly states:

“No USPTO employee may pursue a bounty offered by a private sector source for identifying prior art. The acceptance of payments from outside sources for prior art search activities may subject the employee to administrative disciplinary action.”

This policy ensures the integrity and impartiality of the patent examination process.

To learn more:

• USPTO
• prior art
• bounties
• patent examiners