Which statement is true regarding the reliance of examiners on personal knowledge?

Examiners are permitted to rely on personal knowledge when making decisions about patentability, including in their rejections of patent applications. This means that if an examiner has a strong understanding of a specific field, acquired through their training or experience, they can incorporate that knowledge into their assessment. The rationale behind this practice is that examiners are expected to utilize their expertise to make informed decisions about the sufficiency of patent disclosures.

The practice allows for a more efficient examination process, as examiners can draw upon their background and experiences to understand the context of an invention and evaluate its novelty and non-obviousness against the prior art. Moreover, the ability to use personal knowledge supports the application of a nuanced understanding of technological fields, which can be particularly important when dealing with complex inventions.

While certain conditions, such as the need for objectivity and rigor in the examination process, remain important, the fact that examiners may rely on their personal experiences and knowledge is established within the guidelines governing patent examinations. This flexibility is crucial in providing examiners the tools they need to effectively do their jobs.