What should patent attorneys look for when reviewing PTO-892 forms with lengthy citations?

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.

When reviewing PTO-892 forms, patent attorneys should pay attention to the following aspects of lengthy citations:

• Ensure that the entire citation is present and readable, even if it spans multiple boxes.
• Look for clear indications that a citation is continued from one box to the next.
• Verify that URLs and other long references are complete and accurate.
• Check that any continuation indicators (e.g., ‘[item U continued]’) do not interfere with the actual citation content.

As the MPEP 707.05(f) notes, examiners should “clearly indicate that the citation is being continued into the next box.” Attorneys should ensure this has been done correctly to avoid any misunderstandings or incomplete references in the patent record.