Is a daytime telephone number required when submitting a patent application?
While not strictly required, the USPTO requests the submission of a daytime telephone number for the party to whom correspondence is to be addressed. According to 37 CFR 1.33(a):
For the party to whom correspondence is to be addressed, a daytime telephone number should be supplied in a clearly identifiable manner and may be changed by any party who may change the correspondence address.
The MPEP explains that although business is conducted on the written record (as per 37 CFR 1.2), a daytime telephone number is useful for initiating contact that could later be reduced to writing. It’s a practical way to facilitate communication between the USPTO and the applicant or their representative.
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Topics:
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure