What is the significance of a prior foreign application in U.S. patent examination?

The significance of a prior foreign application in U.S. patent examination is primarily related to establishing priority dates and determining the scope of prior art. The Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) § 1302.06 directs examiners and applicants to MPEP § 202 and MPEP § 214 for detailed information on this topic. These sections provide…

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