Patents Assist Subscriber Notice

June 2003 Issue

The June 2003 issue of Patents ASSIST includes the latest revision to the 8th edition of the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP), published in February 2003. Unfortunately, there are some problems with this file.

You may find multiple sections displayed in a single line in the top Results List display box, as shown below. For example, Section 608.02(d) is displayed in the same line as 608.02(c). When the complete record is displayed in the lower Results display box, the two files are both displayed. These files should not be connected or displayed in conjunction with each other. However, be assured that your searches will not be affected; you will retrieve the sections containing your search terms as well as the other attached section. The Table of Contents approach is not affected.

This problem is due to the way that the original data was formatted and we are in the process of reformatting those sections. As this involves thousands of linked pages, we did not feel that holding up production was justified for this small anomaly. We are working on this problem to have it resolved with the next issue.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

August 19, 2003