This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.
Patents and printed publications are listed on a reexamination certificate in a specific manner. According to MPEP 2257:
“The patents and printed publications will be listed on the reexamination certificate by the examiner’s amendment at the time of allowance. Such entry is made in the second or subsequent paragraph of the Reasons for Patentability and/or Confirmation.”
This listing typically includes:
- U.S. patents in numerical order
- U.S. patent application publications in numerical order
- Foreign patent documents in numerical order by country
- Non-patent literature in alphabetical order
The examiner ensures that this list is comprehensive and accurately reflects all the prior art considered during the reexamination process.