How are powers to inspect handled in Image File Wrapper (IFW) applications?

For Image File Wrapper (IFW) applications, the process of granting power to inspect is different. According to MPEP 104:

“Powers to inspect are not accepted in Image File Wrapper (IFW) applications. IFW applications are available through the Private Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system, and pro se applicants and attorneys of record have direct access to the IFW through Private PAIR (when a Customer Number is associated with the correspondence address for the application, and the applicant or attorney has access to Private PAIR for the customer number).”

This means that for IFW applications, access is typically granted through the Private PAIR system, eliminating the need for traditional powers to inspect. If access through Private PAIR is not possible, alternative methods for viewing the application may be necessary.

For more information on Patent application access, visit: Patent application access.

For more information on power to inspect, visit: power to inspect.

For more information on Private PAIR, visit: Private PAIR.