How is the publication date of an electronic document determined for prior art purposes?
The publication date of an electronic document is crucial for determining its status as prior art. According to the MPEP: “Prior art disclosures on the Internet or on an online database are considered to be publicly available as of the date the item was publicly posted.” However, if the publication itself does not include a…
Read MoreWhat is the proper way to cite social media content in patent examination?
Citing social media content in patent examination requires specific information to ensure the content can be accurately identified and retrieved. The MPEP provides guidelines for citing various types of electronic documents, including social media. For social media citations, include: The platform name (e.g., Twitter, YouTube) The content title or description The date of posting or…
Read MoreHow should documents retrieved from online databases outside the Internet be cited?
When citing documents retrieved from online databases outside the Internet, such as commercial databases, specific information should be included to ensure the document can be identified and retrieved. The MPEP provides examples of how to cite such documents: “Example 1: SU 1511467 A (BRYAN MECH) 1989-09-30 (abstract) World Patents Index [database online]. Derwent Publications, Ltd.…
Read MoreHow should electronic documents be cited in patent examination?
When citing electronic documents in patent examination, the format should be as similar as possible to paper documents of the same type, with additional information provided. The MPEP follows the format recommended by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Standard ST.14. Key elements to include are: Type of electronic medium in square brackets (e.g., [online], [CD-ROM])…
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