When is a patent application file available to the public?

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Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-09 10 Rules 5 Related FAQs 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. A patent application file becomes available to the public in the following situations: When the application has issued as a patent or published as a statutory invention registration When the application has been published and subsequently abandoned When the application has been published and is still pending When an unpublished, abandoned application is identified or relied upon in certain public documents When the benefit of an unpublished pending application is claimed in certain public documents These conditions are outlined in 37 CFR 1.14(a)(1) . In most cases, a fee is required to access the application file contents. Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse Published Abandoned Application File Available to Public MPEP 102 Required Status Information of an Application Is Required MPEP 102 No Access to Published Pending Application File Except as Specified MPEP 102 Required Access to Published Abandoned Patent Application Files MPEP 102 Required Access to Published Patent Application Files Required MPEP 102 Required Patented Application Files Available to Public MPEP 102 Required Access to Unpublished Pending Applications with Claimed Benefits Required MPEP 102 Required Access to Unpublished Pending Applications with Claimed Benefits MPEP 102 Permitted Requester Entitled to Status Info for International Design Application MPEP 102 Pending Application File Contents Available Upon Request MPEP 103 Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse How can USPTO personnel determine the current location or status of an application? What information can be provided about provisional applications? What information can be obtained about a pending application under MPEP 102?...