Why is the mailing date important for USPTO Office actions?
The mailing date on USPTO Office actions is crucial for several reasons:
- It marks the official start of the response period for applicants.
- It’s used to calculate statutory deadlines in the patent examination process.
- It provides a clear record of when the USPTO communicated with the applicant.
The importance of accuracy in applying the mailing date is reflected in the procedure outlined in MPEP 707.11, which states that the date should be “stamped or printed on all copies of the action after it has been signed by the authorized signatory examiner and the copies are about to be mailed.” This ensures that the date accurately reflects when the action was actually sent, not when it was written or signed.
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