How are foreign patent family members handled in USPTO searches?

The USPTO considers foreign patent family members in its searches, as indicated in the MPEP:

“Both the foreign patent document and its English language equivalent, if one exists, may be cited if both are separately listed and designated as such in the citation.“

This approach ensures:

• Comprehensive coverage of prior art
• Access to potentially more detailed or different descriptions in various jurisdictions
• Consideration of language variations that might affect patentability

To learn more:

• Foreign patent family
• USPTO searches
• Patent equivalents