The Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy establishes patent examination and documentation policy standards for the Commissioner for Patents. The Office also develops new rules, practices, and procedures; reviews and revises the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure; and trains examiners on legal issues. Further, the Office has been delegated authority by the Under Secretary and Director to decide patent related petitions.
To learn more about the individual offices that comprise the Patent Examination Policy organization, please visit the Patent Examination Policy organization pages.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS
PATENT EXAMINATION POLICY FUNCTIONS
- Manual of Patent Examining Procedure related resources and FAQs
- Patent Legal Administration services, related resources, and FAQs
- Petition services, related resources, and FAQs
RESOURCE INFORMATION AND REFERENCE MATERIALS
- Examination Guidance and Training Materials
- Memoranda to the Examining Corps
- Official Gazette (Patents)
- Federal Register Notices (Patents)
- Fee Schedules
- Forms
- Patent Laws [PDF]
- Patent Rules [PDF]
- Manual of Patent Examination Procedure (MPEP)
- Patent Quality Assurance services, related resources, and FAQs
- Electronic Business Center
- Patent Electronic Business Center Guide [PDF]
- Customer Numbers and Digital Certificates
(for EFS-Web and Private PAIR) - ePetition Resource Page
- ePetition Quick Start Guide [PDF]
- EFS-Web Guide
- Legal Framework for EFS-Web
- Patent Term Calculator
CONTACT US
See Contact Patents for a comprehensive list of contact offices and telephone numbers.
FREQUENTLY REQUESTED SUPPORT NUMBERS |
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USPTO Customer Support Centers -- For general patent information, Inventors Assistance Center, mailing addresses, Internet addresses, and contact information for other USPTO services. |
1-800-786-9199 800-877-8339 (TTY) |
571-272-1000 |
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Electronic Business Center -- Customer support for electronic filing and PAIR access. Customer Numbers and digital (PKI) certificate issuance and maintenance |
1-866-217-9197 |
571-272-4100 E-mail: ebc@uspto.gov |
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| AIA (America Invents Act) | 1-855-HELPAIA (1-855-435-7242) |
E-mail: HelpAIA@uspto.gov
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| Independent Inventors / Inventors Assistance Center (IAC) |
IAC: 800-PTO-9199 (800-786-9199) 800-877-8339 (TTY) |
Link: Inventors Resources IAC: 571-272-1000
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Ombudsman Program-- When there is a breakdown in the normal application process, including before and after prosecution, the Patents Ombudsman Program can assist in getting the application back on track |
1-855-559-8589 (toll free) Hours: M-F 8:30-5:00
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571-272-5555 or use the contact form found on the Ombudsman page |
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| Office of Quality Assurance - Responsible for overall assessment and measurement of patent examination quality at the USPTO | ... |
For general inquiries: 571-272-1000 For specific patent applications, please contact the Ombudsman Program) |
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CONTACTING PATENT EXAMINATION POLICY |
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| ... | E-mail: MPEPFeedback@uspto.gov |
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Office of Patent Cooperation Treaty Legal Administration (PCT Help Desk)-- Assistance with applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty |
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571-272-4300 |
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Office of Patent Legal Administration -- Rule changes, Patent Term Adjustment & Extension, Reexamination, AIA |
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571-272-7701 (General) 571-272-7702 (PTA) 571-272-7703 (Reexamination) 571-272-7704 (AIA & special projects) |
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Office of Petitions-- Reviews and decides petitions, requests, and related inquiries, regarding the filing of patent applications |
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571-272-3282 |
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Before Filing
During Examination
After Grant
RELATED WEBSITES
- Leahy-Smith America Invents Act Implementaion (AIA)
- USPTO Executive Biographies
- Office of Commissioner for Patents
- International Patent Legal Administration services, related resources, and FAQs
- Patent Trial and Appeal Board
- USPTO Subscription Center (news and alerts via e-mail)