MPEP § 2803.02 — Public Access (Annotated Rules)
§2803.02 Public Access
This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2803.02, including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.
Public Access
This section addresses Public Access. Contains: 2 requirements, 3 permissions, and 1 other statement.
Key Rules
Third Party Access to Files (MPEP 103, 1134.01)
After a filing date has been accorded the request, supplemental examination files are open to inspection by the general public by way of Patent Center which is available on the USPTO's Internet site, www.uspto.gov. See MPEP § 2232 (access guidance). Copies of non-patent literature (NPL) cited in the proceeding, however, will not be available via Patent Center and must be ordered as set forth below.
After a filing date has been accorded the request, supplemental examination files are open to inspection by the general public by way of Patent Center which is available on the USPTO's Internet site, www.uspto.gov. See MPEP § 2232 (access guidance). Copies of non-patent literature (NPL) cited in the proceeding, however, will not be available via Patent Center and must be ordered as set forth below.
Fees for Third Party Access
If a copy of the supplemental examination file or NPL cited in the proceeding is desired, it may be ordered from the Patent and Trademark Copy Fulfillment Branch (PTCFB) of the Public Records Division (PRD) upon payment of the applicable fee after the request for supplemental examination has been granted a filing date.
In addition, after the request for supplemental examination has been granted a filing date, a request for a copy of the file may also be sent via email to: dsd@uspto.gov, and the fee for the copy may be charged to a credit card or deposit account.
Copies and Certified Documents
Orders for such copies must indicate the control number of the proceeding. It is preferred that orders be made through the PTCFB's Certified Copy Center storefront at https://certifiedcopycenter.uspto.gov. Alternatively, orders may be addressed to:
Access to Application Files
Orders for such copies must indicate the control number of the proceeding. It is preferred that orders be made through the PTCFB's Certified Copy Center storefront at https://certifiedcopycenter.uspto.gov. Alternatively, orders may be addressed to:
Citations
| Primary topic | Citation |
|---|---|
| Third Party Access to Files (MPEP 103, 1134.01) | MPEP § 2232 |
Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP
This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.
Official MPEP § 2803.02 — Public Access
Source: USPTO2803.02 Public Access [R-07.2022]
The Office does not intend to provide the public with access, by Patent Center or otherwise, to a request for supplemental examination, or to any papers or information submitted as part of or accompanying the request, until the request is granted a filing date by the Office.
After a filing date has been accorded the request, supplemental examination files are open to inspection by the general public by way of Patent Center which is available on the USPTO’s Internet site, www.uspto.gov. See MPEP § 2232 (access guidance). Copies of non-patent literature (NPL) cited in the proceeding, however, will not be available via Patent Center and must be ordered as set forth below.
If a copy of the supplemental examination file or NPL cited in the proceeding is desired, it may be ordered from the Patent and Trademark Copy Fulfillment Branch (PTCFB) of the Public Records Division (PRD) upon payment of the applicable fee after the request for supplemental examination has been granted a filing date.
Orders for such copies must indicate the control number of the proceeding. It is preferred that orders be made through the PTCFB’s Certified Copy Center storefront at https://certifiedcopycenter.uspto.gov. Alternatively, orders may be addressed to:
Mail Stop Patent and Trademark Copy Fulfillment
Branch
Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
In addition, after the request for supplemental examination has been granted a filing date, a request for a copy of the file may also be sent via email to: dsd@uspto.gov, and the fee for the copy may be charged to a credit card or deposit account.