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Patent Services Available from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Assignment Recordation The Assignment Division records the transfer of ownership of patents and trademarks, as well as other documents that affect titles to patents and trademarks. Rules regulating assignment practice are set forth in 37 CFR 3.11. A cover sheet which allows for entry of all information specified in 37 CFR 3.31 must accompany a document to be recorded. Copies of documents are acceptable and highly recommended. Do not send duplicate copies. Copies of current recordation cover sheets, word processing macros for assignments, and related products to produce cover sheets are available. Fees for recording assignments: Patents Government Register Documents Confirmatory Licenses
Expedited service The USPTO is now accepting facsimile (fax) transmissions to record an assignment or other documents affecting title. See additional information at http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/classification/. Abstract of Title USPTO staff will prepare a chronology from assignment records of recorded documents that affect the ownership of a patent. Fee: $25.00 per patent (excludes copies of individual assignment deeds) For information or to order by phone, call 703-308-9726 or 800-972-6382. Assisted Automated Patent Search Public Search Facility staff members offer on-site assistance in the use of automated search systems. Fee: $40.00 per hour or fraction thereof for personal search assistance by Search Facility staff. This service charge is added to the hourly charge for system access. Certification Services Records available from the PTO may be certified as true copies by the Certification Division. Certified copies are authenticated by the PTO ribbon and seal with the signature of an authorized certifying officer. Examples of available certified documents are US Patents, US Trademarks (showing title and status), office letters, file wrapper and contents, patent disclosure documents and defensive publication files, patent re-examination files, files from the Board of Appeals and Interferences, all trademark files, opposition, cancellation and concurrent use proceedings, assignment records, and abstracts of title. Pending patent applications are preserved in secrecy. No copies or information may be obtained without written consent of the inventor, applicant, attorney of record, assignee of record, or attorney for the assignee of record. Such written consent must accompany the request for certified copies. Entitled parties may obtain copies of a pending application by submitting a written order identifying the application by application number, filing date, and the name(s) of the inventor(s). For information and status inquiries, call 703-308-9726 or 800-972-6382. Fax: 703-305-8759 E-mail: dsd@uspto.gov File Copies Uncertified copies of file histories, assignments, and trademark application records may be purchased. (Access to pending patent applications is limited to those able to show legal entitlement to the information.) For information call: 703-308-9726 or 800-972-6382. E-mail: dsd@uspto.gov Inventor Search Assistance When a customer provides an inventor's name and approximate date of patent grant, Public Search Facility staff will conduct a search and provide a list of any patent numbers found. Fee: $40.00 per hour or fraction thereof, which usually encompasses a 10-year span Patent Classification Research Fee: free Public Search Facility The Public Search Facility (PSF) contains a searchable set of US patents issued from 1790 to the current week of issue. Patent Subscriptions Customers may place standing orders to receive patents as they issue in selected technology classifications of the U.S. Patent Classification System. Patents are mailed on the day of issue. This service is available only to holders of PTO deposit accounts. Address inquiries to: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Office of Patent Publication Crystal Park 3, Room 910 P.O. Box 1450Alexandria, VA 22313-1450 Fee: $3.00 per utility patent and $15.00 per plant patent (color) Training for Public Users of Automated Systems Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries that subscribe to automated search systems also occasionally schedule seminars or training sessions for members of the public. See PTDL list to contact the nearest subscribing PTDL for information. Web-based Examiner Search Tool (WEST) Training Manual The Web-based Examiner Search Tool (WEST) Training Manual was developed as a reference guide for those who have completed Patent and Trademark Office training and is provided free of charge to those who attend training. It is also available for purchase. |
Is there a question about what the USPTO can or cannot do that you cannot find an answer for? Send questions about USPTO programs and services to the USPTO Contact Center (UCC). You can suggest USPTO webpages or material you would like featured on this section by E-mail to the mailto:webmaster@uspto.gov?subject=site_question. While we cannot promise to accommodate all requests, your suggestions will be considered and may lead to other improvements on the website. |
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