Office action response redaction is the removal of personal data from a prosecution paper. An unpublished file stays confidential under 37 CFR 1.14. anonym.plus runs offline and keeps the legal argument and claim amendments.
When this applies
A response names the applicant, counsel, and the examiner. To reuse it as a training sample, hide those personal details first.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Load the response into anonym.plus on your device.
- The tool flags applicant, counsel, and examiner names.
- Claim amendments and argument text stay in place.
- Swap or black out the confirmed IDs.
- Save the clean copy on your device.
What you need to provide
- The file (PDF, DOCX, or scan).
- An operator; Replace keeps the argument readable.
- Optional role map for [APPLICANT] / [EXAMINER] labels.
PII entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Names | PERSON | Counsel J. Okafor → [COUNSEL] |
| Names | PERSON | Examiner P. Strand → [EXAMINER] |
| Org | ORGANIZATION | Applicant Acme → [APPLICANT] |
| Reference | PATENT_NUMBER | App. 17/441 → [APP_NO] |
| Contact | EMAIL_ADDRESS | ip@example.com → [EMAIL] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | mailed 05/2026 → [DATE] |
Compliance achieved
- Keeps unpublished prosecution papers confidential under 37 CFR 1.14.
- Catches counsel and examiner names in the caption.
- Runs offline — no cloud exposure of pending matters.
Anonymize office action responses offline — see plans & start free →
Limitations & cautions
Once an application publishes, its file wrapper is public, so this best suits unpublished matters and training copies. The application number can re-link a sample. Swap it too for a fully blinded copy.
Frequently asked questions
Is a prosecution file confidential?
While the application is pending and unpublished, the USPTO keeps the file confidential under 37 CFR 1.14. Local work keeps that draft inside your office.
Does the legal argument stay?
Yes. Claim amendments and the argument stay word for word. Only IDs change.
Can I keep the examiner art unit?
You choose. The art unit can stay via an allow-list, or be swapped if it could re-link the sample.