How does the USPTO handle correspondence if no practitioner is of record in a patent application?

How does the USPTO handle correspondence if no practitioner is of record in a patent application?

When no practitioner is of record in a patent application, the USPTO follows specific procedures for handling correspondence. Here’s what you need to know:

• Correspondence is sent to the applicant’s correspondence address
• The address used is the one shown in the application or the Patent Application Locating and Monitoring (PALM) system
• It’s crucial for applicants to keep their correspondence information up to date

As stated in MPEP 403.01(a): ‘If a practitioner is not of record, correspondence will be sent to the applicant’s correspondence address as shown in the application or the Patent Application Locating and Monitoring (PALM) system.’

This policy ensures that even without a practitioner of record, the USPTO can maintain communication with the applicant. It’s important for applicants to regularly check and update their correspondence information to avoid missing critical communications from the USPTO.

To learn more:

• USPTO correspondence
• patent application
• no practitioner of record
• correspondence address
• PALM system