What is the role of STIC in obtaining foreign patent documents?
The Scientific and Technical Information Center (STIC) plays a crucial role in obtaining foreign patent documents for USPTO examiners:
- Extensive collection:
Upon request, STIC will obtain a copy from its extensive collection, or if necessary, from the patent office of the particular country.
- Handling unprinted documents:
In the case of unprinted patent documents, STIC will request that the date of granting and the date the specification was made available to the public be indicated on the copies provided by the country of origin.
- Foreign Patents Service Center:
Examiners may also request copies directly from the Foreign Patents Service Center of STIC.
- Translation assistance:
Additionally, STIC translation staff is able to retrieve foreign patent information for examiners.
STIC’s services ensure that examiners have access to a wide range of foreign patent documents, including those that may be difficult to obtain or require translation.
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