37 CFR 4.3
Submitting Complaints

This document contains one section of Chapter 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This page was last updated in November, 2005. You may return to the main 37 CFR Index, or to the index for one of the follow parts:

part 1 (patents);
part 2 (trademarks);
part 3 (assignments);
part 10 (representation); or
part 200+ (copyrights).

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§4.3 Submitting Complaints

(a)

A person may submit a complaint concerning an invention promoter with the Office. A person submitting a complaint should understand that the complaint may be forwarded to the invention promoter and may become publicly available. The Office will not accept any complaint that requests that it be kept confidential.

(b)

A complaint must be clearly marked, or otherwise identified, as a complaint under these rules. The complaint must include:

(1)

The name and address of the complainant;

(2)

The name and address of the invention promoter;

(3)

The name of the customer;

(4)

The invention promotion services offered or performed by the invention promoter;

(5)

The name of the mass media in which the invention promoter advertised providing such services;

(6)

An explanation of the relationship between the customer and the invention promoter; and

(7)

A signature of the complainant.

(c)

The complaint should fairly summarize the action of the invention promoter about which the person complains. Additionally, the complaint should include names and addresses of persons believed to be associated with the invention promoter. Complaints, and any replies, must be addressed to: Mail Stop 24, Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450.

(d)

Complaints that do not provide the information requested in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section will be returned. If complainant's address is not provided, the complaint will be destroyed.

(e)

No originals of documents should be included with the complaint.

(f)

A complaint can be withdrawn by the complainant or the named customer at any time prior to its publication.