<They didn't have to pull the hard copy files to do this. >

I'm trying to understand how the examiner insures that the patent owner has not changed any of the original claims in the recent submission. That submission supercedes all others. What do they use to check them against? Where do they do this? At what point in the process would this be done?

I would imagine that the original patent file is an electronic file that is Read Only. It can not be changed w/o all proper authorizations/documentations. So, when you say they did not have to pull hard copy files to do this, exactly what are you saying? You believe there is a paper copy, or you believe they can use other copies that might be on their computers?

Could you expand on your understanding of this process. TIA Opty