Manual of Patent Examining Procedure - MPEP

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2200 Citation of Prior Art and Ex Parte Reexamination of Patents

2232 Public Access

Reexamination files are open to inspection by the general public by way of the Public PAIR via the USPTO Internet site. In viewing the images of the reexamination proceedings, members of the public will be able to view the entire content of the reexamination file. To access Public PAIR, a member of the public would (A) go to the USPTO web site at http://www.uspto.gov, (B) click on "Patents," (C) under "Check Status, View Papers." click on "Status & IFW," and (D) under "Patent Application Information Retrieval" enter the control number of the reexamination proceeding.

If a copy of the reexamination file is requested, it may be ordered from the Document Services Division of the Office of Public Records (OPR). Orders for such copies must indicate the control number of the reexamination proceeding. Orders should be addressed as follows:

Mail Stop Document Services

Director of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

P.O. Box 1450

Alexandria, VA 22313-1450

Requests for a copy of a request may also be sent via e-mail to: dsd@uspto.gov, and the cost of the copy may be charged to a credit card or deposit account. Alternatively, a copy may be obtained from IFW via PAIR.

To obtain a "certified copy" of a reexamination file, a CD-ROM may be purchased from Document Services Division of OPR.

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