How are patented and abandoned patent files stored and accessed by USPTO examiners?

The USPTO has specific procedures for storing and accessing patented and abandoned patent files: Recent Files: Recently patented and abandoned paper files are stored at the Files Repository. Older Files: These are housed in off-site warehouses. Image File Wrapper (IFW) Applications: These are stored electronically. The MPEP states, Image File Wrapper (IFW) applications are stored…

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How are patented and abandoned patent application files stored and accessed?

Patented and abandoned patent application files are stored and accessed differently based on their age and format: Recently patented and abandoned paper files are stored at the Files Repository. Older files are housed in off-site warehouses. Image File Wrapper (IFW) applications are stored electronically. According to MPEP 711.04(b): “Image File Wrapper (IFW) applications are stored…

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