What is the purpose of the patent file wrapper?
What is the purpose of the patent file wrapper?
The patent file wrapper, also known as the prosecution history, serves as a complete record of all proceedings in the Patent and Trademark Office from the filing of the application to the issuance of the patent. According to MPEP 724.01, ‘The file wrapper should contain all papers relating to the merits of the application, including amendments and arguments filed by the applicant, prior art cited by the examiner or the applicant, and any actions taken by the examiner.’ This comprehensive record is essential for understanding the scope of the patent and its prosecution history, which can be crucial in potential future legal proceedings or patent disputes.
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