File Wrapper Document Category (FW_CAT)

For every document that the USPTO uploads into a patent or application's file wrapper, there is a category that is assigned to the document that is loaded in the system.  These categories are fairly standard across USPTO file wrappers.  For example, any Notice of Allowance sent is placed in the "Prosecution" category, a Non Final Office Action is placed in the "Prosecution" category as well, any non patent literature is placed in the "Prior Art" category, etc.  

To search for any documents that have specific categories in their file wrapper, use the FW_CAT field code.

Examples

  • FW_CAT:prosecution  -->  Query matches all US patents or applications that have any prosecution documents in the file wrapper.  This may include a notice of allowance, a list of claims, etc.
  • FW_CAT:"prior art" --> Query matches all US patents or applications that have any prior art documents in the file wrapper.  This may include non patent literature, a list of references cited by the examiner, etc.

Power Move:

In AcclaimIP, the FW_CAT field code can be used with the WITH operator.  This operator allows you to jointly query data that exists on the same line.  For example, if you wanted to find only documents that has the "prosecution" category and that has been issued within the last 90 days, the query would be the following:

FW_CAT:prosecution WITH FW_MRDATE:[NOW-90DAYS to NOW]

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