Why are borrowed publications important in patent examination?

Borrowed publications are crucial in patent examination because they expand the pool of available prior art resources. By referring to MPEP 901.06(b), which states “See MPEP § 901.06(a) , STIC Services – Interlibrary Loans,” the USPTO acknowledges the importance of accessing a wide range of publications. This access allows examiners to conduct more comprehensive prior art searches, ensuring that patents are granted only for truly novel and non-obvious inventions.

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Tags: borrowed publications, interlibrary loans, patent examination, Patent Quality, prior art search