Are USPTO employees allowed to communicate with suspended or excluded practitioners?

Generally, no. MPEP 105 states: “U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) employees are forbidden to hold either oral or written communication with an attorney or agent who has been suspended or excluded from practice by the USPTO regarding an application.” This prohibition applies to all forms of communication about patent applications with suspended or excluded practitioners.

To learn more:

• USPTO Employees
• Communication Rules
• Suspended Practitioners
• Excluded Practitioners
• Patent Applications