500

OCR transcription for search; preserved printed pages are authoritative

# Chapter 500 Receipt and Handling of Mail and Papers

501 Papers Received by Correspondence and Mail
Division

502 Depositing Papers

503 Serial Number and Filing Receipt

504
Register of Applications

505
"Office Date" Stamp of Receipt

506
Completeness of Original Application
506.01 Return of Incomplete Application

507
Drafting Division

508 Distribution

508.01 Papers Sent to Wrong Group

508.02 Papers Received After Patenting or Aban-
donment
508.03 Unmatched Papers
509 Payment of Fees

510 Patent and Trademark Office Business Hours

## 501 Papers Received by Correspond- ence and Mail Division [R-45]

Rule 1. All communications to be addressed to the
Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks. All letters
and other communications intended for the Patent and
Trademark Office must be addressed to "Commissioner
of Patents and Trademarks," Washington. D.C. 20231.
When appropriate, a letter may be marked for the at-
tention of a particular officer or individual.

The official mailing address for all com-
munications sent to the Patent and Trademark
Office remains :

Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks
Washington, D.C. 20231

The physical location of the Office is 2021
Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia.
This address should not be used on mail sent
to the Patent and Trademark Office.

All mailed communications are received by
the Incoming-Mail Section of the Correspond-
ence and Mail Division, which opens and dis-
tributes all official mail.

### 502 Depositing Papers [R-47]

Rule 5. Identification of application, patent or
registration. (a) When a letter concerns an application
for patent, it should state the name of the applicant,
the title of the invention, the serial number of the
application, the date of filing the same, and, if known,

the group art unit and name of the examiner to which
it has been assigned (see rule 55).

(b) When the letter concerns a patent, it should
state the number and date of issue of the patent. the
name of the patentee, and the title of the invention.

(c) A letter relating to a trademark application
should identify it as such and by the name of the ap-
plicant and the serial number and filing date of the
application. A letter relating to a registered trade-
mark should identify it by the name of the registrant
and by the number and date of the certificate.

Rule 6. Receipt of letters and papers. (a) Letters
and other papers received in the Patent and Trademark
Office are stamped with the date of receipt. No papers
are received in the Patent and Trademark Office on
Saturdays, Sundays or holidays within the District
of Columbia.

(b) Mail placed in the Patent and Trademark Office
pouch up to midnight on weekdays, excepting Satur-
days and holidays, by the post office at Washington,
D.C., serving the Patent and Trademark Office, is con-
sidered as having been received in the Patent and
Trademark Office on the day it was so placed in the
pouch.

(c) In addition to being mailed or delivered by
hand during office hours, letters and other papers may
be deposited up to midnight in a box provided at the
guard's desk at the lobby of building 3 of the Patent
and Trademark Office at Crystal Plaza, Arlington, Vir-
ginia and at the main entrance of the Department of
Commerce building, Washington, D.C., on weekdays
except Saturdays and holidays, and all papers deposited
therein are considered as received in the Patent and
Trademark Office on the day of deposit.

Applications, amendments and other papers
may be sent to the Patent and Trademark Office
by mail, or they may be deposited in the Corre-
spondence and Mail Division or in a box which
is kept in the lobby of building 3 of the Patent
and Trademark Office for this purpose.

The Patent and Trademark Office ZIP Code
designation "20231" should be used when writ-
ing the Patent and Trademark Office for any
matter. In addition, the sender's own ZIP Code
designation should be given.

The Office often experiences difficulty in
matching incoming papers with the application
file to which they pertain because insufficient or

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erroneous information is given. This applies
especially to amendments, powers of attorney,
changes of address, status letters, requests for
extension of time, and petitions.

Frequently, there are errors in the serial num-
ber or in the group art unit number, or the
incoming paper uses the old group art unit
number where an application has been trans-
ferred and acted on by a different examining
group.

Where the group art unit number is entirely
omitted, the routine operations of the Applica-
tion Division must be interrupted solely for the
purpose of determining the location of the ap-
plication so that the communication can be
properly routed. Under these circumstances the
efficiency of the Application Division is im-
paired and the incoming paper is delayed in
reaching its proper destination. Where such
papers are not essential to compliance with a
statutory period or time limit for response, they
may be returned for completion to identify
the location of the files.

It would be of great assistance to the Office if
all incoming papers pertaining to a filed appli-
cation carried the following items :

1\. Serial number (checked for accuracy).

2\. Group art unit number (copied from
filing receipt or most recent Office Ac-
tion).

3\. Filing date.

4\. Name of the examiner who prepared the
most recent Office Action.

5\. Title of invention.

To further reduce the burden on the Applica-
tion Division and the examining groups, it is
also requested that the submission of additional
or supplemental papers on a newly filed appli-
cation be deferred until a filing receipt has been
received. In the same vein, it would be appre-
ciated if the filing of additional papers relating
to an allowed application were deferred until
a notice of allowance (POL-85) is received.

If the above suggestions are adopted the proc-
essing of both new and allowed applications
could proceed more efficiently and promptly
through the Patent and Trademark Office.

## HAND DELIVERY OF PAPERS

Any paper which relates to a pending appli-
cation may be personally delivered to an exam-
ining group. However, the examining group
will accept the paper only if: (1) the paper is
accompanied by some form of receipt which can
be handed back to the person delivering the
paper; and (2) the examining group being
asked to receive the paper is responsible for act-
ing on the paper.

The receipt may take the form of a duplicate
copy of such paper or a card identifying the

paper. The identifying data on the card should
be so complete as to leave no uncertainty as to
the paper filed. For example, the card should
contain the applicant's name (s), Serial No., the
filing date and a description of the paper being
filed. If more than one paper is being filed for
the same application, the card should contain
a description of each paper or item.

Under this procedure, the paper and receipt
will be date stamped with the group date
stamp. The receipt will be handed back to the
person liand delivering the paper. The paper
will be correlated with the application and
made an official paper in the file, thereby avoid-
ing the necessity of processing and forwarding
the paper to the examining group via the Mail
Room.

If duplicate copies of a request for an exten-
sion of time are hand delivered to an examining
group, both copies are dated, either stamped
approved or indicated as being denied, and
signed. The duplicate copy is returned to the
delivering person regardless of whether the re-
quest was signed by a registered attorney or
agent, either of record or acting in a represent-
ative capacity, the applicant or the assignee of
record of the entire interest.

The examining group will accept and date
stamp a paper even though the paper is accom-
panied by a check or the paper contains an
authorization to charge a Deposit Account.
However, in such an instance, the paper will be
hand carried by group personnel to the Office
of Finance for processing and then made an
official paper in the file.

All such papers, together with the cash,
checks, or money orders, shall be hand carried
to the Cashier's Window, Room 2-1BO1, be-
tween the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

The papers shall be processed by the account-
ing clerk, Office of Finance, for pickup at the
Cashier's Window by 3:00 p.m. the following
work day. Upon return to the group, the papers
will be entered in the application file wrappers.

A duplicate copy of officially date-stamped
papers may be hand delivered. See §§ 104,
710.02 (e) and 713.01.

## EXPRESS MAIL SERVICE

There are two types of Express Mail delivery
offered by the U.S. Postal Service-"Post Office
to Addressee" and "Post Office to Post Office."
The only type of service which can be used for
Express Mail directed to the Patent and Trade-
mark Office is "Post Office to Addressee." This
service provides for delivery to one of our em-
ployees in Room 1627, Department of Commerce
Building, Washington, D.C., no later than 3:00
p.m. of the next workday following its deposit

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before 5:00 p.m. at any postal facility with an
Express Mail window.

The only address that should be used for Ex-
press Mail sent to the Patent and Trademark
Office is :

"Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks
Washington, D.C. 20231."

"Post Office to Post Office" Express Mail does
not provide for delivery but instead is retained
at the postal facility of the addressee for pickup.
The Postal Service does not notify the addressee
that this type of Express Mail has been received
and is awaiting pickup. If not picked up, this
mail is held for 15 days and then returned to
the sender.

Therefore, since the Patent and Trademark
Office does not have resources for picking up
any mail, including Express Mail, the "Post
Office to Post Office" Express Mail will not
reach the Patent and Trademark Office.

### 503 Serial Number and Filing Receipt [R-45]

Serial Numbers are assigned in the Corre-
spondence and Mail Division immediately after
mail has been opened.

With the implementation of this new pro-
cedure, it is no longer necessary to submit two
self-addressed post cards when early notifica-
tion of the serial number is desired. If a self-
addressed post card is submitted with a patent
application, that post card will be stamped with
both the receipt date and serial number prior to
returning it to the addressee.

The identifying data on the post card should
include : (1) applicant's name(s) ; (2) title of
invention ; (3) number of pages of specification.
claims, and sheets of drawing; (4) whether oath
or declaration used; and (5) amount and man-
ner of paying the fee.

A return post card should be attached to each.
patent application for which a receipt is desired.

It should be recognized that the identification
of an application by Serial Number does not
necessarily signify that the Patent and Trade-
mark Office has accepted the application as com-
plete. After the application has been reviewed
for statutory compliance and given an official
filing date, the usual filing receipt will be
mailed.

In the Application Division each application
which meets the formal requirements as to
completeness is given a filing date. It is impor-
tant, when referring to application files, to iden-
tify them by their filing dates as well as by
serial numbers.

The Application Division mails a receipt to
the attorney or agent, if any, otherwise to the
applicant, for each complete application filed,

giving the serial number, filing date, and group
to which assigned. See § 506.

In the Application Division the application
papers are placed in a file wrapper and certain
data placed thereon.

RETURN POST CARD

If a receipt of any paper filed in the Patent
and Trademark Office is desired, it may be ob-
tained by enclosing with the paper a self-ad-
dressed post card identifying the paper. The
Patent and Trademark Office will stamp the
receipt date on the card and place it in the
outgoing mail.

The identifying data on the card should be
so complete as to match the paper with the ap-
plication or other document to which it is to be
associated. For example, the document should
be identified by the applicant's name (s), serial
number, filing date, interference number, etc.,
and the paper should be identified by specifying
the type thereof, namely, affidavit, amendment,
appeal, application papers, brief, drawings,
fees, motions, supplemental oath or declaration,
petition, etc.

When papers for more than one document are
filed under a single cover a return addressed
post card should be attached to the paper for
each document for which a receipt is desired.

### 504 Register of Applications [R-35]

The Application Division assigns the applica-
tion to the examining group to which it appears
to belong. A list of all applications arranged by
serial numbers as well as an alphabetically ar-
ranged card index of the applicants is kept by
the Application Division and the identification
of the group to which each application is sent
is made part of this record.

### 505 "Office Date" Stamp of Receipt [R-35]

In whatever manner an application or any
part thereof, or an amendment, letter, or other
paper is transmitted, the date of its receipt is
stamped thereon by either the Correspondence
and Mail Division or examining group. The
stamp is referred to as the "Office Date" stamp
and, if the application is complete (See rule
55), establishes the "filing date."

### 506 Completeness of Original Appli- cation [R-47]

#### INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS

If the application papers are too informal to
be given a filing date, the case is held in the
Application Division as an incomplete applica-

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tion and the applicant, is informed of the short-
comings of the papers. No filing date is granted
until the incompleteness is corrected.

Form PO-1123 (rev. 1-73), Notice of Incom-
plete Application Papers, is prepared and
mailed by the Application Division when ap-
plication papers are deemed incomplete under
35 U.S.C. 111.

Such incompleteness may consist of the omis-
sion of any one of the component parts of an
application. The component parts of an appli-
cation are:

1\. A declaration or oath, 35 U.S.C. 111.

2\. A specification, 35 U.S.C. 112.

3\. A claim, 35 U.S.C. 112.

4\. A drawing, 35 U.S.C. 113.

5\. Basic statutory filing fee of $65.

In the past the Application Division has re-
viewed the claimed subject matter of newly filed
applications to determine whether a filing date
should be granted. Such applications included
those drawn to perpetual motion devices and
methods of doing business and applications for
reissue signed by assignees or filed more than
two years after the grant of the patent which
appear to contain broadened reissue claims.

Under the current practice, a filing date is nor-
mally granted in such cases if the application is
otherwise complete, and then forwarded to the
examiner for his consideration and decision dur-
ing the regular course of examination.

#### INFORMAL APPLICATIONS

An application is informal if it is typed on
both sides of the paper, or is not permanent,
legible or reproducible. If such informalities
are timely corrected, the application is given
the filing date on which the original informal
papers were filed.

Form PO-1094 (rev. 3-71), Notice of In-
sufficient Fee and/or Informal Drawings, is
used when utility patent applications are filed
with at least a $65 filing fee but more money
is required, or patent applications are received
with informal drawings. This form is mailed
by the examining group prior to the examiner's
examination of the application.

The Application Division accords a filing
date, as of the date of receipt in the Office, to
application papers which include all of the
necessary components of a complete applica-
tion required by statute, but are informal be-
cause they do not comply with the rules or no-
tices. In such applications, the Application Divi-
sion prepares form PO-152 (rev. 1-73), Notice
of Informal Application indicating the infor-
mality and places it in the file wrapper. The
examining group mails the letter to applicant.
Failure to correct the informality within the

specified time results in abandonment of the
application.

An application too informal to be admitted
for examination may receive as its filing date,
the date it was originally presented only by
petition under rule 183, and only when a satis-
factory showing is made that a proper applica-
tion could not be submitted originally and that
applicant will suffer irreparable damage if the
filing date sought is not accorded.

Inquiries directed to the Application Divi-
sion, either in person or by telephone, concern-
ing patent applications should not be made
during the afternoon hours between 2:30 and
4:30.

The letter of transmittal accompanying the
filing of continuing applications should include
such additional information as the identifica-
tion by serial number of the parent application,
its status, and location in the Patent and Trade-
mark Office. The supplying of this information
will simplify the processing of these applica-
tions.

When a new application is filed with a re-
quest to transfer drawings under rule 88, the
application papers should include drawing
prints to enable the Application Division to
process the case before transfer of the formal
drawings is effected.

#### 506.01 Return of Incomplete Appli- cation [R-35]

If a request is made, the parts of an incom-
plete application are returned by the Applica-
tion Division. They may be used by applicant as
part of a complete application if the missing
parts are later supplied. See rule 53.

#### 507 Drafting Division [R-35]

The drawing is sent to the Drafting Division
to be inspected for formal compliance with the
rules. If the drawing is satisfactory, it is
stamped "approved". If the drawing contains
defects which are not so serious as to warrant
holding the application to be incomplete, the
Draftsman checks the appropriate notation on
the "Notice of Informal Patent Drawing" form
PO-948.

See § 608.02(a) for handling of photoprints
filed in lieu of drawings.

#### 508 Distribution [R-35]

The Application Division has permanent
prints made of the drawings of all complete
applications and secures the prints in the file
wrappers. The drawings and files are then as-
sembled and forwarded to the proper examin-
ing group.

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When a new or substitute drawing is re-
ceived, a print is made and forwarded to the
group to be placed in the file as an official
paper.

As to the procedure to be followed when a
model is filed, see §§ 608.03 and 608.03(a).

#### 508.01 Papers Sent to Wrong Group [R-39]

If there is no Serial Register card, storage
card or transfer card in the group for drawings,
amendments or other papers delivered to the
group, Application Division should be tele-
phoned to determine the current assignment of
the application. The current group assignment
should be placed on the paper and then for-
warded to the appropriate group. The assign-
ment indicated by Application Division may be
verified by calling the group indicated before
forwarding the paper.

The Patent Application Locator and Moni-
toring System (PALM) Control Office may
also be called for assistance in locating a pend-
ing application.

A terminal disclaimer should not be routed
directly to an examining group. If such a
paper (without the file) is received, it should
be promptly forwarded without the file to the
Patent Issue Division. In some situations the
Patent Issue Division may be holding a termi-
nal disclaimer. This may be checked by calling
the Chief of the Patent Issue Division by
telephone.

#### 508.02 Papers Received After Patent- ing or Abandonment [R-28]

After an application is patented or aban-
doned, any incoming communication which is
not to become part of the record is sent to
the Correspondence and Mail Division for han-
dling with the status of the application indi-
cated thereon.

#### 508.03 Unmatched Papers [R-42]

These instructions set forth procedures for
handling unmatched papers in the examining
groups. It is suggested that the unmatched
papers within a group be frequently reviewed
to determine which should be sent to the Paper
Correlating Office (PCO).

Item 1 below treats the papers in the "Serial
number too high" category. Items 2-6 below
are directed to all other unmatched papers not
in the "Serial number too high" category.

1\. Unmatched papers in the "Serial No. Too High"
category

This collection of papers being held by the group
should be reviewed at least once a week. Any paper

having a serial number which clearly should have
already been received by the group should be removed
from this collection. Where the group does not have
a corresponding application for any of these papers,
inquiry should be made of the Application Division
and PALM to determine the group of record. If another
group number is indicated, the paper should be for-
warded to that group. If neither Application Division
nor PALM yields a new group number for the indi-
cated Serial No., the paper should be sent to the PCO.
2. Unmatched papers having a serial number for which
no serial register card is present in the group

It can be assumed that either the group number or
the serial number on these papers is incorrect. Inquiry
should be made of the Application Division and PALM
to determine the group of record and the procedure
set out in item 1 above followed. An exception to this
practice should be made where the paper has thereon
the name of an examiner in the group. In these situa-
tions a careful check of the group records and files
as well as consultation with the indicated examiner
should be made to determine the correct serial number.
If this does not yield a new serial number the paper
should be sent to the PCO.

##### 3. Unmatched papers relating to cases abandoned from group

The file should be ordered from Abandoned Files. If
the file is not received therefrom, the paper should be
forwarded to the PCO. Charge Card, PO-125, returned
by Abandoned Files should be stapled to the paper
when it is sent to the PCO.

4\. Papers for applications which have been sent to the
Patent Issue Division

All papers for applications which PALM indicates to
be located in any of the locations 730 through 765
should be forwarded to the Query and Correspondence
Section of the Allowed Files Branch of the Patent
Issue Division, room 2-10C28 via the Office of Pub-
lications messenger. Such papers may be left for pick-
up by the messenger in the "Allowed Files Pickup/
Delivery" boxes which are located in each examining
group.

The instructions of this section (4) apply to all files
in Issue including those which have been assigned
a Patent Number and Issue Date. Papers requiring ex-
aminer review and action will be returned to the ex-
amining group after the Patent Issue Division person-
nel have matched the paper to the appropriate file.

5\. Papers for applications which have been sent to the
Record Room

If PALM indicates that the application for a paper
is in the Record Room (location code 810 or 820), the
paper should be forwarded to the Paper Correlating
Office for response.

6\. Unmatched papers for cases which are known to
be pending in the group but cannot be located
Generally these are applications for which a serial
register card is present in the group, but the file is not

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immediately available. These papers should be re-
tained in the group for processing.

Each paper sent to the PCO must have a PCO
Transmittal Form stapled thereto. Each form attached
to a paper should be filled out as completely as pos-
sible. Transmittal Forms attached to papers in cate-
gories 1 and 2 must have an indication of the infor-
mation obtained from both Application Division and
PALM. The PALM information should be inserted in
the large space at the bottom of the Form. This will
help eliminate duplication of effort by PCO personnel.
Papers received without transmittal forms or with in-
completely filled out transmittal forms may be returned
to the originating group. Additional copies of the PCO
transmittal can be obtained by calling extension 73251.

#### 509 Payment of Fees [R-47]

Rule 21. Patent and miscellaneous fees and charges.
In addition to the fees prescribed by statute, the fol-
lowing fees and charges are established by the Patent
and Trademark Office :

(a) For typewritten copies of records, for
each page produced (double-spaced) or
fraction thereof.
$1.50

(b) For photocopies or other reproductions of
records, drawings, or printed material,
per page of material copied.
. 30

(c) For copies of plant patents in color.
1.00

(d) For certified copies of patents in print :
For specification and drawing. per
copy
.50
For the certificate
1\. 00

For the grant.
1.00

(e) For abstracts of title to each patent or
application :

For the search, one hour or less, and
certificate
5. 00
Each additional hour or fraction
thereof
2.50

For each brief from the digest of as-
signments, of 200 words or less.
2.00
Each additional 100 words or fraction
thereof
. 20

(f) For title reports required for Office use __
1.00

(g) For translations from foreign languages
into English. made only of references
cited in applications or of papers filed in
the Patent and Trademark Office insofar
as facilities may be available: Written
translations. for every 100 words of the
original language, or fraction thereof.
5. 00

(h) For registration of an attorney agent :
For admission to examination for regis-
tration to practice, fee payable upon
application
35.00
On registration to practice.
25.00

(i) For certificate of good standing as an at-
torney or agent.
5.00

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(j) For making patent drawings, when facil-
ities are available, the cost for making
the same:
Rate per hour.
12.00
Minimum charge per sheet.
25.00

(k) For correcting patent drawings, the cost
of making the correction :
Rate per hour.
12.00

Minimum charge.
3.00

(1) [deleted]

(m) [deleted]

(n) Search of Patent and Trademark Office
records for purposes not otherwise speci-
fied in this rule, per half-hour of search
or fraction thereof.
3.00

(0) [Reserved]

(p) Subscription order for printed copies of
patents as issued : Annual service charge
for entry of order and one subclass, $2.00,
and 20 cents for each additional subclass
included; amount to be deposited (for
price of copies supplied), as determined
with respect to each order.

(q) List of U.S. Patents:
All patents in a subclass, per sheet
(containing 100 patent numbers or
less)
1.00
Patents in a subclass, limited by date or
patent number, per sheet (containing
50 patent numbers or less)
1\. 00
(r) Local delivery box rental, annual.
12.00

(s) For publication in the Official Gazette of
a notice of the availability of a patent for
licensing or sale, each patent.
3. 00

(t) For special service to expedite furnishing
items or services ahead of regular order :
On orders for copies of U.S. patents and
trademark registrations, in addition
to the charge for the copies, for each
copy ordered.
. 50
On all other orders or requests for
which special service facilities are
available, in addition to the regular
charge, a special service charge equal
to the amount of regular charge;
minimum special service charge per
order or request.
1.00

(u) Deposit account, service charge for each
month when the balance at the end of the
month is below $40.
2.00
(v) For items and services, that the Commis-
sioner finds may be supplied, for which
fees are not specified by statute or by this
section, such charges as may be deter-
mined by the Commissioner with respect
to each such item or service.

Rule 22. Fees payable in advance. Fees and charges
payable to the Patent and Trademark Office are re-
quired to be paid in advance, that is, at the time of

32.4

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making application for any action by the Office for
which a fee or charge is payable.

Rule 23. Method of payment. All payments of money
required for Patent and Trademark Office fees should
be made in United States specie, Treasury notes, na-
tional bank notes, post office money orders, or by cer-
tified checks. If sent in any other form, the Office
may delay or cancel the credit until collection is made.
Money orders and checks must be made payable to the
Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks. Remit-
tances from foreign countries must be payable and
immediately negotiable in the United States for the
full amount of the fee required. Money sent by mail to
the Patent and Trademark Office will be at the risk of
the sender; letters containing money should be
registered.

Rule 24. Coupons. Coupons in denominations of
twenty cents and fifty cents are sold by the Patent
and Trademark Office for the convenience of regular
purchasers of U.S. patents, designs, and trademark reg-
istrations ; these coupons may not be used for any other
.purpose. The 20-cent coupons are sold individually and
in books of 50 with stubs for record for $10.00. The
50-cent coupons are sold individually and in pads of 10
for $5.00 and in books of 50 with stubs for record for
$25.00. These coupons are good until used ; they may be
transferred but cannot be redeemed.

NOTE: Public document coupons issued by the Super-
intendent of Documents cannot be used in the Patent
and Trademark Office, nor can the coupons issued by
the Patent and Trademark Office be used at the Gor-
ernment Printing Office or elsewhere.

Rule 25. Deposit accounts. (a) For the convenience
of attorneys, agents, and the general public in ordering
services offered by the Office, copies of records, etc.,
special deposit accounts may be established in the
Patent and Trademark Office. A minimum deposit of
$50.00 or more, depending on the activity of the in-
dividual account, is required. At the close of each
month's business, a statement will be rendered. A re-
mittance must be made promptly upon receipt of the
statement to cover the value of items or services
charged to the account and thus restore the account to
its established normal deposit value. An amount suf-
ficient to cover all services, copies. etc., requested must
always be on deposit. A service charge will be assessed
for each month that the balance at the end of the
month is below $40.00.

(b) Filing, issue, appeal, and petition fees may be
charged against these accounts.

An overdrawn account will be immediately
suspended and no charges will be accepted
against it until a proper balance is restored,
together with a payment of ten dollars to cover
the work done by the Patent and Trademark
Office incident to suspending and reinstating the
account and dealing with charges which may
have been made in the meantime. It is expected.
however, that reasonable precautions will be

taken in all cases to avoid overdrafts, and if an
account is suspended repeatedly it will be neces-
sary to close it.

Similarly, because of the burden placed on
the Patent and Trademark Office incident to the
operation of deposit accounts, a charge of ten
dollars will be made for opening each new
account.

The Patent and Trademark Office will accept
lists of fifty (50) or more patent numbers ar-
ranged in numerical sequence to be supplied and
charged to deposit accounts. Service charges,
such as Special Handling and Air Mail postage
for these orders, may also be charged to Deposit
Accounts.

Rule 26. Refunds. Money paid by actual mistake or
in excess, such as a payment not required by law, will
be refunded, but a mere change of purpose after the
payment of money, as when a party desires to with-
draw his application or to withdraw an appeal, will
not entitle a party to demand such a return. Amounts
of ten cents or less will not be returned unless specifi-
cally demanded, within a reasonable time, nor will the
payer be notified of such amount; amounts over ten
cents but less than one dollar may be returned in post-
age stamps, and other amounts by check.

#### 510 Patent and Trademark Office Business Hours [R-45]

This procedure is being published to bring to
the attention of the public security provisions
concerning the Patent and Trademark Office
premises and Patent and Trademark Office files.

The public is reminded that the Patent and
Trademark Office working hours are 8:30 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding
legal holidays in the District of Columbia. Out-
side these hours, only Patent and Trademark
Office employees are authorized to be in areas
of the Patent and Trademark Office other than
the Public Search Rooms.

The hours for the Public Search Room are
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and the hours for the
Trademark Search Room are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal
holidays in the District of Columbia.

During working hours, all applicants, at-
torneys, and other members of the public should
announce their presence to the Office personnel
in the area of their visit. In the examining
groups, visitors should inform the group recep-
tionist of their presence before visiting other
areas of the group.

##### 511 Postal Service Emergency Con- tingency Plan [R-46]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is es-
tablishing the following contingency plan for

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filing any paper or paying any fee in the Office
in the event of an emergency caused by any
major interruption in the mail service in the
United States. Upon determination by the Com-
missioner of Patents and Trademarks that such
an emergency exists, a notice activating the plan
will be issued by the Commissioner. The ac-
tivating notice will be published in the Wall
Street Journal and made available in a special
recorded telephone message at area code 703,
557-3158. Also, certain publications, patent bar
groups, and other organizations closely asso-
ciated with the patent system, will be notified.
Termination of the program will be similarly
announced. Where the postal emergency is not
nationwide, the Commissioner will designate
the areas of the United States in which the pro-
cedures outlined below will be in effect.

U.S. Department of Commerce District Of-
fices (formerly referred to as Department of
Commerce Field Offices) will be designated on
an emergency basis, as receiving stations for
filing papers and paying fees in the U.S. Patent
and Trademark Office.

Upon determination that an emergency exists.
the following procedures may be followed: All
papers and fees should be enclosed in a sealed
envelope addressed to the Patent and Trade-
mark Office and deposited in one of the District
Offices. Such papers will be considered as re-
ceived in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
on the day of deposit. The District Office will
date stamp each envelope and the accompanying
receipt card which completely identifies the de-
posited papers. The receipt card will be returned
to the depositor. Applicants or their represent-
atives should assure the legibility of the date
stamp.

District Office deposits should be limited to
checks in payment of issue fees, new application
papers wherein priority dates or statutory bars
may be involved. amendments where the six
month statutory period for response is about to
expire, trademark oppositions. Section 8 affi-
davits. trademark renewals. and to other papers
for which the patent and trademark statutes do
not provide a remedy for failure to obtain a
particular date.

Where papers originate from overseas, it is
suggested that the papers be mailed to a regis-
tered agent in Canada, with a request that the
papers be forwarded by courier to the nearest
District Office in the United States.

In regard to pending applications, if the time
for taking any action or paying any fee expires.
during the period that the Commissioner de-
clares to be an emergency. the time will be ex-
tended until one month after the end of the

emergency period, provided that such extension
does not exceed the maximum period for re-
sponse provided for in the statutes.

Since this extension of time will be antomatic,
there will be no record in the individual files to
indicate that a response filed during the ex-
tended period is in fact timely. In order to pro-
vide a complete record, applicants or their rep-
resentatives should file a paper referring to this
notice in each case in which a response is filed
during the extended period.

The addresses of the Department of Com-
merce District Offices, subject to subsequent
changes, are as follows:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., 87101, Room 316, U.S. Court-
house (505) 766-2386.

ANCHORAGE, 99501, 632 Sixth Ave., Hill Bldg., Suite
412 (907) 265-4597.

ATLANTA, 30309, Suite 523, 1401 Peachtree St., NE.
(404) 526-6000.

BALTIMORE, 21202, 415 U.S. Customhouse, Gay and
Lombard Sts. (301) 962-3560.

BIRMINGHAM, ALA., 35205, Suite 200-201, 908 S. 20th
St. (205) 325-3327.

BOSTON, 02116. 10th Floor, 441 Stuart St. (617) 223-
2312.

BUFFALO. N.Y., 14202, Room 1312, Federal Bldg., 111
W. Huron St. (716) 842-3208.

CHARLESTON, W. VA., 25301, 3000 New Federal Office
Bldg., 500 Quarrier St. (304) 343-6181, Ext. 375.

CHEYENNE. WYO., 82001, 6022 O'Mahoney Federal
Center, 2120 Capitol Ave. (307) 778-2151.

CHICAGO, 60603, Room 1406, Mid-Continental Plaza
Bldg., 55 E. Monroe St. (312) 353-4450.

CINCINNATI, 45202, 8028 Federal Office Bldg., 550
Main St. (513) 684-2944.

CLEVELAND, 44114. Room 600, 666 Euclid Ave. (216)
522-1750.

COLUMBIA. S.C .. 29204, Forest Center, 2611 Forest
Dr. (803) 765-5345.

DALLAS. 75202, Room 3E7. 1100 Commerce St. (214)
749-1515.

DENVER. 80202, Room 161. New Custom Hlouse, 19th
and Stont Sts. 1303) 537-3246.

DES MOINES, IOWA. 50309, 609 Federal Bldg., 210
Walnut St. (515) 284-4222.

DETROIT, 48226. 445 Federal Bldg. (313) 226-3650.
GREENSBORO, N.C .. 27402. 203 Federal Bldg., W.
Market St .. P.O. Box 1950. (919) 275-9111, Ext. 345.
HARTFORD, CONN. 06103, Room 610-B. Federal Of-
fice Bidz .. 450 Main St. (203) 244-3530.

HONOLULU, 96813. 286 Alexander Young Bldg., 1015
Bishop St. (808) 546-8694.

HOUSTON. 77002. 201 Fannin, 1017 Federal Office
Bldg. (713) 226-4231.

INDIANAPOLIS. 46204, 355 Federal Office Bldg., 46
E. Ohio St. (317) 269-6214.

KANSAS CITY, MO., 64106. Room 1840, 601 E. 12th St.
(816) 374-3142.

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LOS ANGELES, 90024, 11201 Federal Bldg., 11000 Wil-
shire Blvd. (213) 824-7591.

MEMPHIS, 38103, Room 710, 147 Jefferson Ave. (901)
534-3213.

MIAMI, 33130, Rm. 821, City National Bank Bldg., 25
W. Flagler St. (305) 350-5267.

MILWAUKEE, 53203, Straus Bldg., 238 W. Wisconsin
Ave. (414) 224-3473.

MINNEAPOLIS, 55401, 306 Federal Bldg .. 110 S.
Fourth St. (612) 725-2133.

NEW ORLEANS, 70130, Room 432, International Trade
Mart, 2 Canal St. (504) 589-6546.

NEW YORK, 10007, 41st Floor, Federal Office Bldg., 26
Federal Plaza, Foley Sq. (212) 264-0634.

NEWARK, N.J., 07102, Gateway Bldg., (4th floor)
(201) 645-6214.

PHILADELPHIA, 19106, 9448 Federal Bldg., 600 Arch
St. (215) 597-2850.

PHOENIX. ARIZ .. 85004. 50S Greater Arizona Savings
Bldg., 112 N. Central Ave. (602) 261-3285.

PITTSBURGH, 15222, 431 Federal Bldg., 1000 Liberty
Ave. (412) 644-2850.

PORTLAND, ORE .. 97205, 921 SW. Washington St.,
Suite 521, Pittock Block. (503) 221-3001.

RENO, NEV., 89502, 2028 Federal Bldg., 300 Booth St.
(702) 784-5203.

RICHMOND, VA .. 23240, 8010 Federal Bldg .. 400 N. Sth
St. (804) 782-2246.

ST. LOUIS, 63105, Chromalloy Bldg., 120 S. Central
Ave. (314) 622-4243.

SALT LAKE CITY. 84111, 1201 Federal Bldg .. 125 S.
State St. (801) 524-5116.

SAN FRANCISCO, 94102, Federal Bldg., Box 36013, 450
Golden Gate Ave. (415) 556-5860.

SAN JUAN, P.R .. 00902, Room 100, Post Office Bldg.
(809) 723-4640.

SAVANNAH, 31402. 235 U.S. Courthouse and Post
Office Bldg., 125-29 Bull St. (912) 232-4204.

SEATTLE, 98109. 706 Lake Union Bldg., 1700 Westlake
Ave. North (206) 442-5615.

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