How should examiners cite foreign patents and non-patent literature?
How should examiners cite foreign patents and non-patent literature?
Examiners should follow specific guidelines when citing foreign patents and non-patent literature (NPL) in patent applications. According to MPEP 707.05(a):
For foreign patents:
- Cite the country, document number, and publication date (WIPO Standard ST.14 format).
- Include the applicant’s name, the title in English (if available), and the relevant pages or sheets.
For NPL:
- Provide sufficient information for others to retrieve the reference.
- Include author, title, page numbers, publication date, and place of publication.
- For online sources, include the URL and access date.
The MPEP states: ‘Examiners must remember that reference citations must be complete and give the relevant data needed for a reader to locate the reference easily.’ This ensures that applicants and other examiners can easily access and review the cited references.
To learn more:
To learn more: