304.01    Informal Communication Acceptable via Email

Applicants and registrants may use email only to conduct informal communications with the USPTO regarding a particular application or registration as an alternative to telephone communications. See TMEP §§709.04, 709.05.  

For example, an applicant may submit via e-mail:

  • Questions regarding an outstanding Office action that do not constitute a response;
  • Authorization to issue an examiner’s amendment or priority action (see TMEP §§707.01, 708.02);
  • Objection to an examiner’s amendment (see TMEP §§707, 707.02);
  • Notification of termination of a cancellation proceeding that is the basis for suspension (see TMEP §716.02(a));
  • Request to arrange a convenient time to speak by telephone.

See TMEP §709.02 regarding the persons with whom an examining attorney may discuss the application in an interview, §707.01 regarding who can authorize examiner’s amendments, and §708.02 regarding who can authorize priority actions. See TMEP §304.02 regarding communications that are not acceptable via email.

Attachments: As part of an informal communication, if an applicant’s or registrant’s e-mail contains one or more attachments, the USPTO will only open and view the attachments if they are in .jpg or .pdf format and are legible. The USPTO will not open attachments in any other format.

The examining attorney must ensure that all relevant informal email communications from applicants are entered into the electronic record.  See TMEP §709.04 and §709.05 for further information.