uspto_enriched_citation_mcp

This MCP server provides fast access to USPTO Enriched Citation API v3 data with token-saving context reduction and progressive disclosure workflows. It exposes discovery-oriented search functions that help you quickly identify relevant citations and then drill down into detailed analysis as needed. The available functions include search_citations_minimal for ultra-fast discovery with essential fields and search_citations_balanced for deeper, more comprehensive analysis. The server is designed to integrate across multiple MCPs, enabling cross-referencing with prosecution histories, PTAB data, and knowledge bases. To use it, ensure you have an USPTO_API_KEY and point your client at the running MCP endpoint; authenticate via the included API key mechanism, and then invoke the discovery and analysis workflows described in the available documentation prompts and usage guides.

Prerequisites:

• Python 3.11+ installed on your system
• uv (the MCP runtime) installed and available in your PATH
• Access to an USPTO API key

1. Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/john-walkoe/uspto_enriched_citation_mcp.git cd uspto_enriched_citation_mcp

2. Install dependencies (via your preferred method, e.g., pipx or pip): python -m pip install --upgrade pip python -m pip install uv || pip install uv

3. Prepare your environment variables:

   • Create a secure method to store USPTO_API_KEY (recommended): export USPTO_API_KEY=your_actual_api_key_here
   • Alternatively, populate the key in a deployment-specific environment file as allowed by your runtime

4. Run the MCP server locally (example with uv): uv --directory /path/to/uspto_enriched_citation_mcp run uspto_enriched_citation_mcp

5. Verify the server is running by sending a test request to the MCP endpoint or by following the INSTALL.md guidance for validation tests.

6. For Claude Desktop integration or cross-MCP usage, ensure the server name aligns with your deployment and that the environment variable is accessible to the hosting process.

Tips and considerations:

• Ensure your USPTO_API_KEY is kept secure and not committed to source control. Use secure storage or environment-based configuration.
• The server supports token-saving context reduction to optimize search results; you may adjust field sets and prompts to balance speed and depth according to your needs.
• If using cross-MCP workflows, configure links to related MCPs (Patent File Wrapper, PTAB, etc.) to enable seamless navigation across systems.
• Common issues include API key misconfiguration, network access restrictions, and permission problems when starting the uv runtime. Refer to INSTALL.md and SECURITY_GUIDELINES.md for troubleshooting and best practices.
• When upgrading, review any changes in the available search functions and field mappings to ensure compatibility with existing client queries.