What is a fee address and how do I establish one for maintenance fee purposes?

A fee address is a designated address for correspondence related to maintenance fees. To establish a fee address for maintenance fee purposes, you should use the “‘Fee Address’ Indication Form,” Form PTO/SB/47. MPEP 2595 states: “The following forms are suggested when submitting a maintenance fee or establishing a fee address for maintenance fee purposes. […]…

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Can I designate a separate fee address for maintenance fee communications?

Yes, you can designate a separate fee address specifically for maintenance fee communications. This is particularly useful if you want to direct maintenance fee notices to a different address than other patent correspondence. The MPEP states: “Practitioners of record when the patent issues who do not wish to receive correspondence relating to maintenance fees must…

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What is the Customer Number practice for USPTO communications?

The Customer Number practice is a system used by the USPTO to streamline the management of correspondence addresses for patent applicants. The MPEP mentions this practice as an exception to individual address changes: “…except as provided for under Customer Number practice — see MPEP § 403“ With a Customer Number, you can change the correspondence…

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What are the specific facsimile numbers for different USPTO offices?

The USPTO has designated specific facsimile numbers for various offices to handle different types of correspondence. According to MPEP 502.01, some key facsimile numbers include: Central Facsimile Number (for most patent-related correspondence): (571) 273-8300 International Patent Legal Administration (for responses to Decisions on Petition): (571) 273-0459 Office of Data Management (for issue fee payments and…

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What are the two types of signatures accepted for patent correspondence?

The USPTO accepts two types of signatures for patent correspondence: Handwritten signature: An original signature personally signed in permanent dark ink or its equivalent. S-signature: A signature inserted between forward slash marks, which can include electronic or mechanical signatures. As stated in 37 CFR 1.4(d): “Correspondence filed in the Office, which requires a person’s signature,…

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What is the general mailing address for patent-related correspondence?

The general mailing address for patent-related correspondence is: Commissioner for PatentsP.O. Box 1450Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450 This address should be used for patent applications, replies to notices of informality, requests for extension of time, notices of appeal, and other patent-related matters processed by organizations reporting to the Commissioner for Patents. As stated in the MPEP: Correspondence…

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What is the USPTO policy on filing duplicate copies of correspondence?

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) generally discourages the filing of duplicate copies of correspondence in patent applications, patents, or other proceedings. According to MPEP 502.04: The filing of duplicate copies of correspondence in the file of an application, patent, or other proceeding should be avoided, except in situations in which the Office…

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