What should I do if there’s a discrepancy in the maintenance fee status information provided by the USPTO?

If you encounter a discrepancy in the maintenance fee status information provided by the USPTO, take the following steps: Double-check your records: Ensure that your own payment records are accurate and up-to-date. Contact the USPTO Office of Finance: Call 571-272-6500 to speak with a representative who can verify the information in their system. Provide evidence:…

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How does changing the correspondence address in a patent application affect a patent practitioner’s address in the USPTO roster?

Changing the correspondence address in a patent application does not affect a patent practitioner’s address in the USPTO roster of patent attorneys and agents. This is explicitly stated in 37 CFR 1.33(e): A change of address filed in a patent application or patent does not change the address for a patent practitioner in the roster…

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How does the USPTO handle incorrect or erroneous assignment recordings?

How does the USPTO handle incorrect or erroneous assignment recordings? The USPTO has a specific process for handling incorrect or erroneous assignment recordings: No expungement: The USPTO does not expunge or remove assignment documents once they are recorded. Corrective documents: Parties can record corrective documents to address errors or provide clarifications. Maintaining integrity: This approach…

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How does assignment work for division and continuation applications?

For division and continuation applications, a prior assignment recorded against the original application is automatically applied to the new application. This is because the assignment recorded against the original application gives the assignee rights to the subject matter common to both applications. However, it’s important to note that while the assignment is effective for the…

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What is the ‘Minimum Significant Part of the Number’ in foreign application citations?

The ‘Minimum Significant Part of the Number’ refers to the essential portion of a foreign application number that should be used in United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) records. According to the MPEP: The ‘Minimum Significant Part of the Number’ identified in the tables should be used in United States Patent and Trademark Office…

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