What is Priority Mail Express® and how does it relate to patent filings?
Priority Mail Express® is a service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that can be used to establish a filing date for patent applications and other correspondence with the USPTO. As stated in MPEP 513:
The statutory authority for the granting of a filing date based on the date of deposit for correspondence sent by Priority Mail Express® and received by the Office is found in section 21(a) of Title 35 of the United States Code.
Using Priority Mail Express® allows applicants to receive a filing date as of the date the correspondence was deposited with USPS, rather than the date it was received by the USPTO.
Topics:
MPEP 500 - Receipt and Handling of Mail and Papers,
MPEP 513 - Deposit as Priority Mail Express® with U.S. Postal Service,
Patent Law,
Patent Procedure