How should a patent examiner outline a field of search?
When outlining a field of search, a patent examiner should follow specific guidelines as outlined in MPEP 904.02(a):
“In outlining a field of search, the examiner should note every classification location (i.e. group/subgroup of the Cooperative Patent Classification and/or class/subclass of the U.S. Patent Classification) under the utilized classification system and other organized systems of literature that may have material pertinent to the subject matter as claimed, including those which have been assigned by a foreign Office, another USPTO examiner, or by the classification contractor.”
The examiner should include all relevant classification areas, from the broadest combination to the most specific elements, and prioritize the search areas based on the likelihood of finding relevant prior art.
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