What is the Image File Wrapper (IFW) in patent examination?
The Image File Wrapper (IFW) is an electronic system used by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to store and manage patent application documents. In the context of MPEP 707.10, the IFW is mentioned as the destination for scanned examiner’s actions:
The action, signed by the authorized examiner, is soft scanned into the IFW
The IFW serves as the official record of all documents and communications related to a patent application. It allows for efficient storage, retrieval, and management of application materials throughout the examination process.
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