MPEP Section 2224, Correspondence

Executive summary:

This document contains one section of the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (the "M.P.E.P."), Eighth Edition, Fifth Revision (August 2006). This page was last updated in July 2007. You may return to the section index to find a particular section. Alternatively, you may search the MPEP use the search box that appears on the bottom of every page of BitLaw--be sure to restrict your search to the MPEP in the pop-up list.

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2224 Correspondence

All requests for ex parte reexamination (original request papers) and all subsequent ex parte reexamination correspondence mailed to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office via the U.S. Postal Service Mail, other than correspondence to the Office of the General Counsel pursuant to 37 CFR 1.1(a)(3) and 1.302(e), should be addressed:

**>Mail Stop "Ex ParteReexam"

Attn: Central Reexamination Unit

Commissioner for Patents<

P.O. Box 1450

Alexandria, VA 22313-1450

All such correspondence hand carried to the Office, or submitted by delivery service (e.g., Federal Express, DHL, etc., which are commercial mail or delivery services) should be carried to:

Customer Service Window

Randolph Building

401 Dulany Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

>Hand-carried correspondence and correspondence submitted by delivery service should also be marked "Mail Stop Ex Parte Reexam." Whether the correspondence is mailed via the U.S. Postal Service mail or is hand-carried to the Office, it is strongly recommended that the Mail Stop information be placed in a prominent position on the first page of each paper being filed utilizing a sufficiently large font size that will direct attention to it.<

A request for ex parte reexamination may not be sent by facsimile transmission (FAX). See 37 CFR 1.6(d)(5). All subsequent ex parte reexamination correspondence, however, may be FAXed to:

Central Reexamination Unit

(571) *>273-9900.<

After the filing of the request for ex parte reexamination, any letters sent to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office relating to the resulting ex parte reexamination proceeding should identify the proceeding by the number of the patent undergoing reexamination, the reexamination request control number assigned, *>the< art unit, and the name of the examiner. The certificate of mailing and transmission procedures ( 37 CFR 1.8) and "Express Mail" mailing procedure ( 37 CFR 1.10) may be used to file any paper in an ex parte reexamination proceeding.

Communications from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to the patent owner will be directed to the first named, most recent attorney or agent of record in the patent file at the current address on the Office's register of patent attorneys and agents, or to the patent owner's address if no attorney or agent is of record, 37 CFR 1.33(c).

Amendments and other papers filed on behalf of patent owners must be signed by the patent owners, or the registered attorney or agent of record in the patent file, or any registered attorney or agent acting in a representative capacity under 37 CFR 1.34(a). See MPEP § 2213.

Double correspondence with the patent owners and the attorney or agent normally will not be undertaken by the Office.

Where no correspondence address is otherwise specified, correspondence will be with the most recent attorney or agent made of record by the patent owner.

Note MPEP § 2220 on certificate of service.

See MPEP § 2624 for correspondence in inter partes reexamination proceedings.