How should I submit correspondence that requires immediate USPTO attention?
For correspondence that requires immediate attention from the USPTO, such as certain petitions or time-sensitive documents, the following methods are recommended:
- Use the USPTO patent electronic filing system (EFS-Web or Patent Center). This is the preferred method for most immediate correspondence.
- Where permitted, use facsimile transmission to the appropriate area of the Office.
- Hand-carry the documents to the USPTO in Alexandria, VA.
The MPEP states: Applicants are encouraged to transmit these types of correspondence by the USPTO patent electronic filing system (see MPEP § 502.05). Where permitted, patent-related correspondence that requires immediate Office attention may also be submitted to the appropriate area of the Office for processing by facsimile transmission (see MPEP § 502.01, subsections I.B and II) or hand-carried (see MPEP § 502), subsection III).
Examples of correspondence requiring immediate attention include:
- Petitions for express abandonment to avoid publication
- Petitions to withdraw an application from issue
- Requests for expedited examination of a design application
- Certain papers required by the Office of Data Management
To learn more:
Topics:
MPEP 500 - Receipt and Handling of Mail and Papers,
MPEP 501 - Filing Papers With the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure