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Discuss the MPEP

Recently, the Patent Office provided an online forum to discuss the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP). The MPEP is the key reference manual issued by the Patent Office that provides examining guidelines, practices, and procedures. So far, most of the comments are thoughtful. Here is a sampling of comments relaing to disclosure of prior art:

Submission of videos

“As new forms of prior art proliferate, we have to develop some way to submit them to the PTO. For example – web video clips. It seems reasonable that EFS should be enhanced to accept this kind of submission for an IDS. Do people have ideas on this concept? What other types of media have people come across as prior art? This comment is intended as a discussion starter.”

“Dateless” prior art references

“What can an examiner do with a publication with no date?”

Web Site Printouts

“Please offer some examples on proper ways to [cite non-patent literature] printed from websites.”

To read or add your own comments about the MPEP, go to this web site.