How does the USPTO handle correspondence received on weekends or holidays?
The USPTO does not receive or process correspondence on Saturdays, Sundays, or Federal holidays within the District of Columbia, with some exceptions. According to 37 CFR 1.6(a)(1): The Patent and Trademark Office is not open for the filing of correspondence on any day that is a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday within the District of…
Read MoreHow do I change the correspondence address for a patent application?
To change the correspondence address for a patent application, you need to file a properly signed written request with the USPTO. According to MPEP 601.03: “A written request may be signed by a practitioner of record, the applicant, an assignee of record, or a party who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter, in…
Read MoreCan a juristic entity applicant sign a change of correspondence address form?
No, a juristic entity applicant cannot directly sign a change of correspondence address form. According to MPEP 601.03(a): “A juristic entity (e.g., organizational assignee) must be represented by a patent practitioner even if the juristic entity is the applicant.” For juristic entity applicants, the following applies: A registered patent practitioner must sign the change of…
Read MoreHow should the mailing address for correspondence be provided in a patent application?
When providing the mailing address for correspondence in a patent application: Include a complete mailing address Use the address where the inventor customarily receives mail For foreign inventors, provide an address in the U.S. for correspondence The MPEP 602.08(b) states: ‘The mailing address of each inventor must be provided in order to comply with the…
Read MoreCan multiple correspondence addresses be used for a single patent application filed after September 16, 2012?
While it’s possible to include multiple correspondence addresses for a single patent application filed after September 16, 2012, the USPTO will ultimately select only one for official use. Here’s what you need to know: Multiple addresses can be provided in the application The USPTO will choose one address as the official correspondence address If a…
Read MoreWhat happens if multiple correspondence addresses are provided in a patent application?
When multiple correspondence addresses are provided in a patent application, the USPTO will select one of the specified addresses for use. According to MPEP 601.03(a): If more than one correspondence address is specified, whether in a single paper or in multiple papers, the Office will select one of the specified addresses for use as the…
Read MoreCan a patent practitioner change the correspondence address without the applicant’s approval?
Can a patent practitioner change the correspondence address without the applicant’s approval? Generally, a patent practitioner cannot change the correspondence address without the applicant’s approval. The MPEP 601.03 states: “A patent practitioner acting in a representative capacity whose correspondence address is the correspondence address of record in an application may change the correspondence address in…
Read MoreWhat happens if there’s no practitioner of record when revoking a power of attorney?
When revoking a power of attorney in a situation where there is no practitioner of record, special considerations apply. The MPEP 402.05 states: ‘If a power of attorney is revoked, and a new power of attorney is not promptly filed, then pursuant to 37 CFR 1.33(a) the correspondence address will be changed to that of…
Read MoreWhat is the significance of a customer number in patent applications filed after September 16, 2012?
What is the significance of a customer number in patent applications filed after September 16, 2012? A customer number holds significant importance in patent applications filed after September 16, 2012, particularly for managing practitioner representation. Here’s why: It allows for efficient management of multiple practitioners Power of attorney can be given to a customer number…
Read MoreHow do I specify a correspondence address for my patent application?
When filing a patent application, you must specify a correspondence address in one of two ways: In an application data sheet (ADS) under 37 CFR 1.76, or Elsewhere in the application papers in a clearly identifiable manner As stated in 37 CFR 1.33(a): When filing an application, a correspondence address must be set forth in…
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