What happens if there’s a postal interruption or emergency affecting USPTO correspondence?
In the event of a postal interruption or emergency:
- An announcement will be placed on the USPTO website at www.uspto.gov
- A notice will be published in the Official Gazette
- These communications will provide instructions about filing patent applications and other papers related to patent applications and patents
The USPTO Director may prescribe rules considering papers or fees filed on the date they would have been deposited with the USPS, but for postal service interruptions or emergencies.
As stated in MPEP 511: “In the event of a postal interruption or emergency, an announcement will be placed on the USPTO website at www.uspto.gov and a notice will be published in the Official Gazette, providing instructions about the filing of patent applications, and other papers related to patent applications and patents.”
Topics:
MPEP 500 - Receipt and Handling of Mail and Papers,
MPEP 511 - Postal Service Interruptions and Emergencies,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure