What is the purpose of the file wrapper in a patent application?
The file wrapper, also known as the prosecution history, serves several important purposes in a patent application:
- It contains a complete record of all proceedings in the USPTO related to the application.
- It provides a chronological history of the examination process.
- It includes all official correspondence between the applicant and the USPTO.
- It is used to interpret the claims and determine the scope of the patent.
As stated in MPEP 719: “The folder in which the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office maintains the application papers is referred to as a file wrapper.” This file wrapper is crucial for understanding the evolution of the patent application and can be instrumental in potential future legal proceedings.
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