How are examiner-cited references indicated in a patent document?
Examiner-cited references are indicated with an asterisk (*) in the “References Cited” section on the front page of a patent document. According to MPEP 1302.12:
References listed by a patent examiner on a “Notice of References Cited,” form PTO-892, will be indicated with an asterisk in the “References Cited” section of the front page of a patent document.
This indication helps distinguish examiner-cited references from those submitted by the applicant or other sources. However, the MPEP clarifies that Indication of a reference with an asterisk should not be considered to reflect any significance other than that the reference was listed on a “Notice of References Cited,” form PTO-892.
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