Historical MPEP Now Online

The most current copy of the Manual of Patent Examining Procedures (MPEP) has been online for awhile, but now the USPTO has created an online archive containing editions from 1948-2006. The archive provides an opportunity for researchers to locate historical information about patent laws and regulations and prior art searching. Although the MPEP does not have the force of law, patent examiners are required to follow the procedures outlined in the manual.