2.1.7.6 Providing Copies of Patent Documents

Date Published

In general, requests by attorneys or applicants for copies of cited patent specifications should be handled by COG. However, if examiners consider that the circumstances are such that requiring the applicant to obtain copies of cited patent specifications would impose an unreasonable hardship, they may provide copies of those specifications with their report. These circumstances may arise due to the geographical location of the applicant, or in the case of a private applicant; see 2.2.2 "Private Applicant" Cases.

Note: Copies of patent documents should be attached to the report using the ‘Attach File’ function in PAMS (see 5.6.1.2 Examiner Correspondence Screen).