USPTO Issues Updated Patent Examiner Training Materials on the Written Description Requirement

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has published updated patent examiner training materials regarding the examination of patent applications under the written description requirement of 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph. These materials have been updated to reflect developments in case law and technology.

USPTO Commissioner for Patents John Doll said, “These training materials will improve the quality and consistency of patent examination, as well as provide guidance to practitioners for the drafting of patent applications and responses to examiners.”

Like earlier training materials, these new materials are intended to assist patent examiners in applying the “Guidelines for Examination of Patent Applications Under the 35 U.S.C § 112, first paragraph ‘Written Description’ Requirement” that were published at 66 Fed. Reg. 1099 (Jan. 5, 2001), and are now incorporated in the Manual for Patent Examining Procedure.

To access these training materials, go to: http://www.uspto.gov/web/menu/written.pdf.

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