What is the purpose of associating an e-copy of the inter partes reexamination certificate with the patent?

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.

The association of an e-copy of the inter partes reexamination certificate with the e-copy of the patent in search files serves several important purposes:

• It ensures that anyone searching for the patent will also find the reexamination results.
• It maintains a complete and up-to-date record of the patent’s legal status.
• It provides transparency in the patent examination process.

MPEP 2692 states: An e-copy of the inter partes reexamination certificate will be associated with the e-copy of the patent in the search files. This association is crucial for researchers, examiners, and the public to access the most current information about a patent’s validity and scope.