How can I determine if a cited reference in an IDS has been considered by the examiner?

To determine if a cited reference in an Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) has been considered by the examiner, you should refer to MPEP 609.04(b). The MPEP 609.08 directs applicants to this section:

See MPEP § 609.04(b) for determining whether a cited reference has been considered by the examiner.

This section provides detailed guidance on how to interpret the examiner’s annotations and markings on the IDS to determine which references have been reviewed.

To learn more:

• IDS Review
• Examiner Consideration
• Patent Examination