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{{MPEP Chapter|400|600}} | {{MPEP Chapter|400|600}} | ||
501 Filing Papers With the U.S. | |||
Patent | |||
and Trademark Office [R-5] | |||
37 CFR 1.1. Addresses for non-trademark correspondence | |||
with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. | |||
(a)In general. Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(3)(i), | (a)In general. Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(3)(i), | ||
(a)(3)(ii) and (d)(1) of this section, all correspondence intended | (a)(3)(ii) and (d)(1) of this section, all correspondence intended | ||
Line 142: | Line 142: | ||
(f)[Reserved] | (f)[Reserved] | ||
37 CFR 1.4. Nature of correspondence and signature | |||
requirements. | |||
(a)Correspondence with the Patent and Trademark Office | (a)Correspondence with the Patent and Trademark Office | ||
comprises: | comprises: | ||
Line 205: | Line 205: | ||
making or applying a signature not covered by either a handwritten | making or applying a signature not covered by either a handwritten | ||
signature of § 1.4(d)(1) or an Office Electronic Filing System | signature of § 1.4(d)(1) or an Office Electronic Filing System | ||
(EFS) character coded signature of § 1.4(d)(3). Correspondence | (EFS) character coded signature of § | ||
1.4(d)(3). Correspondence | |||
being filed in the Office in paper, by facsimile transmission as | being filed in the Office in paper, by facsimile transmission as | ||
provided in § 1.6(d), or via the Office Electronic Filing System as | provided in § | ||
1.6(d), or via the Office Electronic Filing System as | |||
an EFS Tag(ged) Image File Format (TIFF) attachment, for a | an EFS Tag(ged) Image File Format (TIFF) attachment, for a | ||
patent application, patent, or a reexamination proceeding may be | patent application, patent, or a reexamination proceeding may be | ||
Line 222: | Line 226: | ||
forward slash mark after, the S-signature (e.g., /Dr. James T. | forward slash mark after, the S-signature (e.g., /Dr. James T. | ||
Jones, Jr./); and | Jones, Jr./); and | ||
(ii)A patent practitioner (§ 1.32(a)(1)), signing pursuant | (ii)A patent practitioner (§ 1.32(a)(1)), signing pursuant | ||
Line 314: | Line 320: | ||
signature and the typed or printed name, do not clearly identify | signature and the typed or printed name, do not clearly identify | ||
the person signing. | the person signing. | ||
I.GENERAL MAILING ADDRESSES | I.GENERAL MAILING ADDRESSES | ||
Line 521: | Line 525: | ||
filed a single paper containing distinct subjects, | filed a single paper containing distinct subjects, | ||
inquiries, or orders. | inquiries, or orders. | ||
¶ 5.01.01 Separate Paper Required | |||
The [1] submitted [2] should have been submitted as a separate | |||
paper as required by 37 CFR 1.4(c). The paper has been entered. | |||
However, all future correspondence must comply with 37 CFR | |||
1.4. | |||
Examiner Note: | |||
1. In bracket 1, indicate the item required to be separately submitted, | |||
such as an affidavit, petition, or other appropriate document. | |||
2. If the applicant is a pro se inventor, include a copy of the | |||
rule. | |||
Those who correspond with the USPTO are | Those who correspond with the USPTO are | ||
Line 570: | Line 590: | ||
intended. | intended. | ||
502Depositing Correspondence [R-5] | |||
37 CFR 1.5. Identification of patent, patent application, or | |||
(a) No correspondence relating to an application should be | patent-related proceeding. | ||
(a)No correspondence relating to an application should be | |||
filed prior to receipt of the application number from the Patent and | filed prior to receipt of the application number from the Patent and | ||
Trademark Office. When a letter directed to the Patent and Trademark | Trademark Office. When a letter directed to the Patent and Trademark | ||
Line 604: | Line 626: | ||
Office concerning applications for patent should also state the | Office concerning applications for patent should also state the | ||
name of the applicant, the title of the invention, the date of filing | name of the applicant, the title of the invention, the date of filing | ||
the same, and, if known, the group art unit or other unit within the | the same, and, if known, the group art unit or other unit within the | ||
Patent and Trademark Office responsible for considering the letter | Patent and Trademark Office responsible for considering the letter | ||
Line 609: | Line 637: | ||
assigned. | assigned. | ||
(b) When the letter concerns a patent other than for purposes | (b)When the letter concerns a patent other than for purposes | ||
of paying a maintenance fee, it should state the number and date | of paying a maintenance fee, it should state the number and date | ||
of issue of the patent, the name of the patentee, and the title of the | of issue of the patent, the name of the patentee, and the title of the | ||
Line 615: | Line 643: | ||
a patent, see the provisions of § 1.366(c). | a patent, see the provisions of § 1.366(c). | ||
(c) [Reserved] | (c)[Reserved] | ||
(d)A letter relating to a reexamination proceeding should | (d)A letter relating to a reexamination proceeding should | ||
Line 623: | Line 651: | ||
examiner to which it been assigned. | examiner to which it been assigned. | ||
(e) [Reserved] | (e)[Reserved] | ||
(f)When a paper concerns a provisional application, it | (f)When a paper concerns a provisional application, it | ||
should identify the application as such and include the application | should identify the application as such and include the application | ||
number. | number. | ||
37 CFR 1.6. Receipt of correspondence. | |||
(a)Date of receipt and Express Mail date of deposit. Correspondence | |||
(a) Date of receipt and Express Mail date of deposit. Correspondence | |||
received in the Patent and Trademark Office is | received in the Patent and Trademark Office is | ||
stamped with the date of receipt except as follows: | stamped with the date of receipt except as follows: | ||
Line 644: | Line 671: | ||
Sundays, or Federal holidays within the District of Columbia. | Sundays, or Federal holidays within the District of Columbia. | ||
(2)Correspondence filed in accordance with § 1.10 will | (2)Correspondence filed in accordance with § | ||
1.10 will | |||
be stamped with the date of deposit as “Express Mail” with the | be stamped with the date of deposit as “Express Mail” with the | ||
United States Postal Service. | United States Postal Service. | ||
Line 670: | Line 699: | ||
complete transmission is received in the United States Patent and | complete transmission is received in the United States Patent and | ||
Trademark Office, unless that date is a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal | Trademark Office, unless that date is a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal | ||
holiday within the District of Columbia. See § 1.6(a)(3). To | holiday within the District of Columbia. See § | ||
1.6(a)(3). To | |||
facilitate proper processing, each transmission session should be | facilitate proper processing, each transmission session should be | ||
limited to correspondence to be filed in a single application or | limited to correspondence to be filed in a single application or | ||
Line 685: | Line 716: | ||
original signature; | original signature; | ||
(2)Certified documents as specified in § 1.4(f); | (2)Certified documents as specified in § | ||
1.4(f); | |||
(3)Correspondence which cannot receive the benefit of | (3)Correspondence which cannot receive the benefit of | ||
the certificate of mailing or transmission as specified in | the certificate of mailing or transmission as specified in | ||
§ 1.8(a)(2)(i)(A) through (D) and (F), and § 1.8(a)(2)(iii)(A), | § | ||
except that a continued prosecution application under § 1.53(d) | |||
1.8(a)(2)(i)(A) through (D) and (F), and § | |||
1.8(a)(2)(iii)(A), | |||
except that a continued prosecution application under § | |||
1.53(d) | |||
may be transmitted to the Office by facsimile; | may be transmitted to the Office by facsimile; | ||
Line 701: | Line 740: | ||
(6)Correspondence to be filed in a patent application | (6)Correspondence to be filed in a patent application | ||
subject to a secrecy order under §§ 5.1 through 5.5 of this chapter | subject to a secrecy order under §§ | ||
5.1 through 5.5 of this chapter | |||
and directly related to the secrecy order content of the application; | and directly related to the secrecy order content of the application; | ||
Line 714: | Line 755: | ||
(f)Facsimile transmission of a patent application under | (f)Facsimile transmission of a patent application under | ||
§ 1.53(d). In the event that the Office has no evidence of receipt of | § | ||
an application under § 1.53(d) (a continued prosecution application) | |||
transmitted to the Office by facsimile transmission, the party | 1.53(d). In the event that the Office has no evidence of receipt of | ||
who transmitted the application under § 1.53(d) may petition the | an application under § | ||
1.53(d) (a continued prosecution application) | |||
transmitted to the Office by facsimile transmission, the party | |||
who transmitted the application under § 1.53(d) may petition the | |||
Director to accord the application under § 1.53(d) a filing date as | Director to accord the application under § 1.53(d) a filing date as | ||
of the date the application under § 1.53(d) is shown to have been | of the date the application under § 1.53(d) is shown to have been | ||
Line 726: | Line 771: | ||
(i)Informs the Office of the previous transmission of | (i)Informs the Office of the previous transmission of | ||
the application under § 1.53(d) promptly after becoming aware | the application under § | ||
1.53(d) promptly after becoming aware | |||
that the Office has no evidence of receipt of the application under | that the Office has no evidence of receipt of the application under | ||
§ 1.53(d); | § 1.53(d); | ||
Line 735: | Line 782: | ||
(iii)Includes a statement which attests on a personal | (iii)Includes a statement which attests on a personal | ||
knowledge basis or to the satisfaction of the Director to the previous | knowledge basis or to the satisfaction of the Director to the previous | ||
transmission of the application under § 1.53(d) and is accompanied | transmission of the application under § | ||
1.53(d) and is accompanied | |||
by a copy of the sending unit’s report confirming | by a copy of the sending unit’s report confirming | ||
transmission of the application under § 1.53(d) or evidence that | transmission of the application under § 1.53(d) or evidence that | ||
came into being after the complete transmission and within one | came into being after the complete transmission and within one | ||
business day of the complete transmission of the application under | business day of the complete transmission of the application under | ||
§ 1.53(d). | § | ||
1.53(d). | |||
(2)The Office may require additional evidence to determine | (2)The Office may require additional evidence to determine | ||
if the application under § 1.53(d) was transmitted to and | if the application under § | ||
1.53(d) was transmitted to and | |||
received in the Office on the date in question. | received in the Office on the date in question. | ||
All applications (provisional and nonprovisional) | All applications (provisional and nonprovisional) | ||
may be sent to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office | may be sent to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office | ||
by mail (see MPEP § 501), or they may be hand-car | by mail (see MPEP § 501), or they may be hand-car | ||
ried to the Customer Service Window. New utility | ried to the Customer Service Window. New utility | ||
patent applications and provisional applications can | patent applications and provisional applications can | ||
Line 760: | Line 818: | ||
only), amendments, and other papers may be sent to | only), amendments, and other papers may be sent to | ||
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by mail (see | the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by mail (see | ||
MPEP § 501), by facsimile (see MPEP § 502.01) or | MPEP § 501), by facsimile (see MPEP § | ||
502.01) or | |||
hand-carried to the Customer Service Window. Any | hand-carried to the Customer Service Window. Any | ||
correspondence sent to the U.S. Patent and Trademark | correspondence sent to the U.S. Patent and Trademark | ||
Line 793: | Line 853: | ||
letters, petitions for extension of time, and other petitions. | letters, petitions for extension of time, and other petitions. | ||
It would be of great assistance to the Office if | |||
It would be of great assistance to the Office if allincoming papers pertaining to a filed application carried | |||
the following items: | the following items: | ||
Line 810: | Line 871: | ||
(F)Confirmation number (see MPEP § 503). | (F)Confirmation number (see MPEP § 503). | ||
Applicants may be reminded of this provision by | |||
including form paragraph 5.01. | |||
¶ 5.01 Proper Heading for Incoming Papers | |||
It would be of great assistance to the Office if all incoming | |||
papers pertaining to a filed application carried the following | |||
items: | |||
1. Application number (checked for accuracy, including series | |||
code and serial no.). | |||
2. Art Unit number (copied from most recent Office communication). | |||
3. Filing date. | |||
4. Name of the examiner who prepared the most recent Office | |||
action. | |||
5. Title of invention. | |||
6. Confirmation number (see MPEP § 503). | |||
The Office prefers identifying indicia to be provided | The Office prefers identifying indicia to be provided | ||
Line 842: | Line 927: | ||
sequence requirements should be filed in the Office | sequence requirements should be filed in the Office | ||
with materials submitted in reply to the statutory or | with materials submitted in reply to the statutory or | ||
regulatory requirements. Examples are certified | regulatory requirements. Examples are certified cop | ||
ies of foreign documents to support priority in patent | |||
applications, changes of power of attorney, or changes | applications, changes of power of attorney, or changes | ||
in mailing address following first action. | in mailing address following first action. | ||
Line 852: | Line 945: | ||
I.POST ALLOWANCE CORRESPONDENCE | I.POST ALLOWANCE CORRESPONDENCE | ||
All post allowance correspondence, except for | |||
All post allowance correspondence, except for | |||
petitions under 37 CFR 1.313(c), should be addressed | petitions under 37 CFR 1.313(c), should be addressed | ||
“Mail Stop Issue Fee.” Any petition filed under 37 | “Mail Stop Issue Fee.” Any petition filed under 37 | ||
Line 947: | Line 1,041: | ||
South Tower Building, 2900 Crystal Drive, Arlington, | South Tower Building, 2900 Crystal Drive, Arlington, | ||
VA 22202. | VA 22202. | ||
(D)Office of General Counsel - Correspondence | (D)Office of General Counsel - Correspondence | ||
Line 1,051: | Line 1,150: | ||
account replenishments, and maintenance fee payments | account replenishments, and maintenance fee payments | ||
may be hand-carried to the Office of Finance | may be hand-carried to the Office of Finance | ||
receptionist in Suite 300 of the Carlyle Place | receptionist in Suite 300 of the Carlyle Place Build | ||
Hand-carried correspondence will only be accepted, | |||
and not processed. Although the receptionist will not | |||
ing, 2051 Jamieson Ave., Alexandria, VA 22314. | |||
Hand-carried correspondence will only be accepted, | |||
and not processed. Although the receptionist will not | |||
process any correspondence, if the correspondence is | process any correspondence, if the correspondence is | ||
delivered with an itemized postcard, the receptionist | delivered with an itemized postcard, the receptionist | ||
Line 1,107: | Line 1,214: | ||
Mailing procedure of 37 CFR 1.10. | Mailing procedure of 37 CFR 1.10. | ||
502.01Correspondence Transmitted byFacsimile [R-5] | |||
37 CFR 1.6. Receipt of correspondence. | 37 CFR 1.6. Receipt of correspondence. | ||
Line 6,790: | Line 6,897: | ||
ebc/efs/index.html. | ebc/efs/index.html. | ||
512Certificate of Mailing or Transmission | |||
[R-3] | |||
37 CFR 1.8. Certificate of mailing or transmission. | |||
(a) Except in the situations enumerated in paragraph (a)(2) | (a)Except in the situations enumerated in paragraph (a)(2) | ||
of this section or as otherwise expressly excluded in this chapter, | of this section or as otherwise expressly excluded in this chapter, | ||
correspondence required to be filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark | correspondence required to be filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark | ||
Line 6,800: | Line 6,911: | ||
The actual date of receipt will be used for all other purposes. | The actual date of receipt will be used for all other purposes. | ||
(1)Correspondence will be considered as being timely | |||
filed if: | |||
(i)The correspondence is mailed or transmitted prior | |||
to expiration of the set period of time by being: | |||
(A)Addressed as set out in § 1.1(a) and deposited | |||
with the U.S. Postal Service with sufficient postage as first class | with the U.S. Postal Service with sufficient postage as first class | ||
mail; or | mail; or | ||
(B)Transmitted by facsimile to the Patent and | |||
Trademark Office in accordance with § 1.6(d); and | Trademark Office in accordance with § | ||
1.6(d); and | |||
(ii)The correspondence includes a certificate for each | |||
piece of correspondence stating the date of deposit or transmission. | piece of correspondence stating the date of deposit or transmission. | ||
The person signing the certificate should have reasonable | The person signing the certificate should have reasonable | ||
basis to expect that the correspondence would be mailed or transmitted | basis to expect that the correspondence would be mailed or transmitted | ||
on or before the date indicated. | on or before the date indicated. | ||
(2)The procedure described in paragraph (a)(1) of this | |||
section does not apply to, and no benefit will be given to a Certificate | section does not apply to, and no benefit will be given to a Certificate | ||
of Mailing or Transmission on, the following: | of Mailing or Transmission on, the following: | ||
(i)Relative to Patents and Patent Applications— | |||
(A)The filing of a national patent application specification | |||
and drawing or other correspondence for the purpose of | and drawing or other correspondence for the purpose of | ||
obtaining an application filing date, including a request for a continued | obtaining an application filing date, including a request for a continued | ||
prosecution application under § 1.53(d); | prosecution application under § | ||
1.53(d); | |||
(B)[Reserved] | |||
(C)Papers filed in contested cases before the Board | |||
of Patent Appeals and Interferences, which are governed by | of Patent Appeals and Interferences, which are governed by | ||
§ 41.106 (f) of this title; | § | ||
41.106 (f) of this title; | |||
(D)The filing of an international application for | |||
patent; | patent; | ||
(E)The filing of correspondence in an international | |||
application before the U.S. Receiving Office, the U.S. International | application before the U.S. Receiving Office, the U.S. International | ||
Searching Authority, or the U.S. International Preliminary | Searching Authority, or the U.S. International Preliminary | ||
Examining Authority; | Examining Authority; | ||
(F)The filing of a copy of the international application | |||
and the basic national fee necessary to enter the national | and the basic national fee necessary to enter the national | ||
stage, as specified in § 1.495(b). | stage, as specified in § 1.495(b). | ||
(ii)[Reserved] | |||
(iii)Relative to Disciplinary Proceedings— | |||
(A)Correspondence filed in connection with a disciplinary | |||
proceeding under part 10 of this chapter. | proceeding under part 10 of this chapter. | ||
(B)[Reserved] | |||
(b) In the event that correspondence is considered timely | (b)In the event that correspondence is considered timely | ||
filed by being mailed or transmitted in accordance with paragraph | filed by being mailed or transmitted in accordance with paragraph | ||
(a) of this section, but not received in the U.S. Patent and Trademark | (a) of this section, but not received in the U.S. Patent and Trademark | ||
Line 6,867: | Line 6,990: | ||
correspondence: | correspondence: | ||
(1)Informs the Office of the previous mailing or transmission | |||
of the correspondence promptly after becoming aware | of the correspondence promptly after becoming aware | ||
that the Office has no evidence of receipt of the correspondence; | that the Office has no evidence of receipt of the correspondence; | ||
(2)Supplies an additional copy of the previously mailed | |||
or transmitted correspondence and certificate; and | or transmitted correspondence and certificate; and | ||
(3)Includes a statement which attests on a personal | |||
knowledge basis or to the satisfaction of the Director to the previous | knowledge basis or to the satisfaction of the Director to the previous | ||
timely mailing or transmission. If the correspondence was | timely mailing or transmission. If the correspondence was | ||
sent by facsimile transmission, a copy of the sending unit’s report | sent by facsimile transmission, a copy of the sending unit’s report | ||
confirming transmission may be used to support this statement. | confirming transmission may be used to support this statement. | ||
(c) The Office may require additional evidence to determine | (c)The Office may require additional evidence to determine | ||
if the correspondence was timely filed. | if the correspondence was timely filed. | ||
A suggested format for a Certificate of Mailing and | |||
a Certificate of Transmission under 37 CFR 1.8 to be | |||
included with the correspondence is reproduced | |||
below. | |||
Certificate of Mailing | |||
I hereby certify that this correspondence is being deposited with | |||
the United States Postal Service with sufficient postage as first | |||
class mail in an envelope addressed to: | |||
Commissioner for Patents | |||
P.O. Box 1450 | |||
Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450 | |||
on ___________. | |||
(Date) | |||
Typed or printed name of person signing this certificate | |||
___________________________________________ | |||
Signature________________________________________ | |||
Certificate of Transmission | |||
I hereby certify that this correspondence is being facsimile transmitted | |||
to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (Fax No. | |||
(___)___-____) | |||
on____________. | |||
(Date) | |||
Typed or printed name of person signing this certificate | |||
___________________________________________ | |||
Signature________________________________________ | |||
¶ 5.02 Format of Certificate of Mailing or Transmission | |||
The following are suggested formats for either a Certificate of | |||
Mailing or Certificate of Transmission under 37 CFR 1.8(a). The | |||
certification may be included with all correspondence concerning | |||
this application or proceeding to establish a date of mailing or | |||
transmission under 37 CFR 1.8(a). Proper use of this procedure | |||
will result in such communication being considered as timely if | |||
the established date is within the required period for reply. The | |||
Certificate should be signed by the individual actually depositing | |||
or transmitting the correspondence or by an individual who, upon | |||
information and belief, expects the correspondence to be mailed | |||
or transmitted in the normal course of business by another no later | |||
than the date indicated. | |||
Certificate of Mailing | |||
I hereby certify that this correspondence is being deposited | |||
with the United States Postal Service with sufficient postage | |||
as first class mail in an envelope addressed to: | |||
Commissioner for Patents | |||
P.O. Box 1450 | |||
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450 | |||
on ___________. | |||
(Date) | |||
Typed or printed name of person signing this certificate: | |||
_____________________________________________ | |||
Signature: ________________________________________ | |||
Registration Number: ______________________________ | |||
Certificate of Transmission | |||
I hereby certify that this correspondence is being facsimile | |||
transmitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, | |||
Fax No. (___)_____ -_________ on _____________. (Date) | |||
Typed or printed name of person signing this certificate: | |||
_________________________________________ | |||
Signature: ________________________________________ | |||
Registration Number: ______________________________ | |||
Please refer to 37 CFR 1.6(d) and 1.8(a)(2) for filing limitations | |||
concerning facsimile transmissions and mailing, respectively. | |||
Under 37 CFR 1.8, a person may state on certain | Under 37 CFR 1.8, a person may state on certain | ||
Line 6,950: | Line 7,181: | ||
that the certificate be signed by the applicant, | that the certificate be signed by the applicant, | ||
assignee, or registered practitioner. | assignee, or registered practitioner. | ||
(B)When possible, the certification should | (B)When possible, the certification should | ||
Line 6,981: | Line 7,217: | ||
the paper and by submitting a copy of the sheet as | the paper and by submitting a copy of the sheet as | ||
originally mailed. Attention is directed to MPEP | originally mailed. Attention is directed to MPEP | ||
§ 503 relative to the use of postcards as receipts. | § | ||
503 relative to the use of postcards as receipts. | |||
(D)In situations wherein the correspondence | (D)In situations wherein the correspondence | ||
Line 7,058: | Line 7,296: | ||
When papers are received in a specific location of | When papers are received in a specific location of | ||
the Office (e.g., Pre-Grant Publication Division, | the Office (e.g., Pre-Grant Publication Division, | ||
Office of Patent Publication, Office of Petitions - see | Office of Patent Publication, Office of Petitions - see | ||
MPEP § 502 and § 502.01), the date of receipt in the | MPEP § 502 and § 502.01), the date of receipt in the | ||
Office is stamped on the papers in accordance with | Office is stamped on the papers in accordance with | ||
37 CFR 1.6(a). | 37 | ||
CFR 1.6(a). | |||
The date indicated on the Certificate of Mailing or | The date indicated on the Certificate of Mailing or | ||
Line 7,079: | Line 7,324: | ||
the next succeeding day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, | the next succeeding day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, | ||
or Federal holiday within the District of Columbia.” | or Federal holiday within the District of Columbia.” | ||
If, however, the paper was received in the U.S. | If, however, the paper was received in the U.S. | ||
Line 7,126: | Line 7,372: | ||
considered to be the filing of a national patent application. | considered to be the filing of a national patent application. | ||
Effective November 29, 1999, Public Law 106-113 | |||
Effective November 29, 1999, Public Law 106-113 | |||
amended 35 U.S.C. 119(e)(3) to extend the period of | amended 35 U.S.C. 119(e)(3) to extend the period of | ||
pendency of a provisional application to the next succeeding | pendency of a provisional application to the next succeeding | ||
Line 7,148: | Line 7,395: | ||
For example, if a new patent application is | For example, if a new patent application is | ||
deposited as “Express Mail” in accordance with | deposited as “Express Mail” in accordance with | ||
37 CFR 1.10 on a Saturday and the United States | 37 | ||
CFR 1.10 on a Saturday and the United States | |||
Postal Service gives it a date of deposit of Saturday, | Postal Service gives it a date of deposit of Saturday, | ||
the Office will accord and stamp the correspondence | the Office will accord and stamp the correspondence | ||
Line 7,157: | Line 7,405: | ||
directly below the papers to which they refer. For | directly below the papers to which they refer. For | ||
Image File Wrapper (IFW) processing, see IFW Manual. | Image File Wrapper (IFW) processing, see IFW Manual. | ||
Office personnel receiving a hand-delivered paper | Office personnel receiving a hand-delivered paper | ||
from other than U.S. Postal Service personnel | from other than U.S. Postal Service personnel | ||
should inspect the paper to ensure that the benefits of | |||
should | |||
inspect the paper to ensure that the benefits of | |||
37 CFR 1.8 or “Express Mail” benefits under 37 CFR | 37 CFR 1.8 or “Express Mail” benefits under 37 CFR | ||
1.10 are not accorded in error. If the paper contains a | 1.10 are not accorded in error. If the paper contains a | ||
Line 7,167: | Line 7,423: | ||
37 CFR 1.10), the words “HAND DELIVERED” | 37 CFR 1.10), the words “HAND DELIVERED” | ||
should be written adjacent to the date stamp. | should be written adjacent to the date stamp. | ||
Applicant should be notified in the next Office | |||
action when a paper containing a Certificate of Mailing | |||
has been denied the benefits under 37 CFR 1.8 or | |||
a paper containing an “Express Mail” mailing label | |||
(commonly used to comply with 37 CFR 1.10) is | |||
denied benefits under 37 CFR 1.10 by including, for | |||
example, form paragraph 5.04. | |||
¶ 5.04 Benefit of Certificate of Mailing Denied | |||
The [1] filed [2] is not entitled to the benefits of 37 CFR 1.[3] | |||
since it was not deposited with the U. S. Postal Service for delivery | |||
to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Therefore, the date | |||
of receipt in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has been used | |||
to determine the timeliness of the paper. | |||
Examiner Note: | |||
1.This form paragraph is to be used in those situations where | |||
correspondence contains a Certificate of Mailing under 37 CFR | |||
1.8 or requests the benefit of “Express Mail” under 37 CFR 1.10, | |||
but the correspondence was not actually deposited with the U. S. | |||
Postal Service. | |||
2.In bracket 3, insert --8-- or --10--, as appropriate. | |||
Misuse of a Certificate of Mailing under 37 CFR | Misuse of a Certificate of Mailing under 37 CFR | ||
Line 7,174: | Line 7,456: | ||
IV.ORIGINAL MAILED PAPER NOT DELIVERED | IV.ORIGINAL MAILED PAPER NOT DELIVERED | ||
Paragraphs (b) and (c) of 37 CFR 1.8 concern the | Paragraphs (b) and (c) of 37 CFR 1.8 concern the | ||
Line 7,221: | Line 7,504: | ||
has been entered into the application file. | has been entered into the application file. | ||
513Deposit as Express Mail with U.S. | |||
Postal Service [R-3] | |||
35 U.S.C. 21. Filing date and day for taking action. | 35 U.S.C. 21. Filing date and day for taking action. |