Go to MPEP - Table of Contents
Notice regarding Section 508 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Section 508 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 requires all United States Federal Agencies with websites to make them accessible to individuals with disabilities. At this time, the MPEP [HTML] files below do not meet all standards for web accessibility. Until changes can be made to make them fully accessible to individuals with disabilities, the USPTO is providing access assistance via telephone. MPEP Interim Accessibility Contact: 703-305-8813.
903.06 Practice To Be Followed in Ordering Official Cross-References - 900 Prior Art, Classification, Search
903.06 Practice To Be Followed in Ordering Official Cross-References
Patents which are useful as references may be found either in the course of a search or from inspection of the Official Gazette each week. All patent copies in official subclasses, cross-reference art collections, and digests are now recorded on the Master Classification File (MCF). In order that the search file be complete as to patent copies and to ensure the accuracy of the MCF, it is necessary that each patent copy subsequently added to the search file be recorded.
The informal placement of cross-references as "Unofficial Patents" into the examiner's search file is prohibited. All patent copies now placed in the examiner's search file are official cross-references. Requests for additional cross-references will be used by the support contractor to ensure the placement of labeled copies in the examiner's search file and the Public Search Room.
To order new or additional cross-references, the examiner should submit a pink-colored form, PTO-14B, completed as follows:
(A) Enter the "DATE OF ORDER," "PATENT NUMBER," "EXAMINER'S NAME," and "ART UNIT" in the appropriate boxes.
(B) Enter the "CLASS" and "SUBCLASS/DIGEST" information for each location where a copy of the requested patent should be placed.
(C) Enter the number of "TOTAL COPIES" requested. This number is determined by multiplying the total number of unique classifications listed times two. This ensures a sufficient number of copies will be obtained to place a labeled copy in both the Examiner Search File and the Public Search Room.
When cross-references for more than three different patent numbers are desired, the examiner can prepare a list of the patent numbers and their associated classifications. One copy of form PTO-14B should be completed to reflect the Date of Order, Art Unit, and Examiner's Name and should be attached to the list.
To expedite the handling of requests for additional cross-references and thereby ensure the quickest response, the following routing procedures should be adhered to:
(A) Designated collection drops within each Technology Center for copy orders should be used. Contract inspectors will visit designated collection drops at least twice each week to pick up PTO-14 orders.
(B) Alternatively, the orders may be mailed or otherwise delivered to the Contract Support Unit, currently located in Crystal Park, Building 2, Room 105.
The attorneys' drop slot at the Public Service Window should not be used, nor should the forms be mailed to Copy Fulfillment Services as consequent rerouting to Contract Support for processing will result in unnecessary delay.
PTO-14B. Examiner's Order -- Cross-References for Search Files