What is the purpose of a “pre-classification” search in patent examination?
A “pre-classification” search in patent examination serves several important purposes:
- To identify the most appropriate CPC classification for a new patent application
- To determine if the application should be routed to a different Technology Center
- To find relevant prior art early in the examination process
According to MPEP 909.01(a), “When an application is received in a Technology Center, the supervisory patent examiner or primary examiner routes the application to a classified file based on a preliminary classification.” This preliminary classification is typically determined through a pre-classification search, which helps ensure efficient routing and examination of the application.
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