What is the retention policy for papers in the image file wrapper?
What is the retention policy for papers in the image file wrapper?
The retention policy for papers in the image file wrapper is as follows:
- Papers that are scanned into the Image File Wrapper (IFW) will be destroyed at the local office 30 days after scanning.
- Papers scanned into the IFW system will not be returned to applicants.
As stated in MPEP 719.01: ‘Papers that are scanned into the Image File Wrapper (IFW) will be destroyed at the local office 30 days after scanning, and papers scanned into the IFW system will not be returned to applicants.’
This policy ensures that the USPTO maintains a digital record of all documents while efficiently managing physical storage space.
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