How are court decisions in patent cases disseminated within the USPTO?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

Court decisions in patent cases are disseminated within the USPTO through a structured process:

• The Office of the Solicitor forwards copies of recent court decisions with precedential opinions to the Office of the Commissioner for Patents.
• The Office of the Commissioner for Patents then forwards these opinions to TC Directors, the Office of Patent Training, and the Director of the Office of Patent Quality Assurance.
• TC Directors make copies available to supervisors and other appropriate individuals.
• TC Directors are encouraged to discuss the contents of the opinions in staff meetings, particularly to reinforce examination quality.

As stated in the MPEP: “TC Directors are encouraged to discuss the contents of the opinions in their staff meetings, particularly where such meetings are being held to reinforce examination quality.”