How are patent examiners’ actions delivered to applicants?

Patent examiners’ actions are delivered to applicants through two main methods:

1. Electronic access: Applicants can access the examiner’s action electronically through the USPTO’s electronic filing system.
2. Mailed copies: Physical copies of the examiner’s action are mailed to the applicant.

As stated in MPEP 707.12: Access to the examiner’s action is given electronically or copies are mailed after the original, initialed by the assistant examiner, if any, and signed by the authorized signatory examiner, has been soft scanned into the image file wrapper. This means that the examiner’s action is first scanned into the electronic file before being made available or mailed.

To learn more:

• patent examination
• office action
• mailing procedure
• electronic access
• USPTO