37 CFR 41.12
Citation of authority.

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§41.12 Citation of authority.

(a)

Citations to authority must include:

(1)

For any United States Supreme Court decision, a United States Reports citation.

(2)

For any decision other than a United States Supreme Court decision, parallel citation to both the West Reporter System and to the United States Patents Quarterly whenever the case is published in both. Other parallel citations are discouraged.

(3)

Pinpoint citations whenever a specific holding or portion of an authority is invoked.

(b)

Non-binding authority should be used sparingly. If the authority is not an authority of the Office and is not reproduced in one of the reporters listed in paragraph (a) of this section, a copy of the authority should be filed with the first paper in which it is cited.