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Patent It Yourself - PDF Archive

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ChaPter 10 | FINALING and MAILING Your APPLICATION | 283<br />

Final Checklist for Filing a <strong>Patent</strong> Application by Mail<br />

n Return Receipt Postcard addressed to you with all papers<br />

listed on back.*<br />

n If you are paying the filing fee by a check or money order, make<br />

it out for the correct filing fee (basic fee plus fee for any excess<br />

claims).* Make sure you have adequate funds on deposit or<br />

available on your credit card.<br />

n Transmittal Letter and Fee Transmittal properly completed<br />

and signed.*<br />

n If you are paying the filing fee using a Credit Card Payment<br />

Form, be sure it is made out for the correct filing fee (basic<br />

fee plus fee for any excess claims).* Make sure your credit<br />

limit is not in jeopardy.<br />

n Drawing sheets all present; drawings clear, complete, and<br />

understandable. Drawings show every feature in claims.<br />

The sheet number and total number of sheets (e.g. “1/3”) is<br />

on the front (below top margin) and your name is on the<br />

top back. Originals of drawings (or disk file if CAD used)<br />

kept in safe place.<br />

n Specification, Claims, and Abstract included; description of<br />

invention clear and complete, all reference numbers, dates,<br />

spelling, and grammar double-checked, and claims drafted<br />

per Chapter 9.<br />

n Typing is clear and readable and 1.5 or double-spaced;<br />

use any normal font, 12-point minimum size.<br />

n Application is prepared in form for making proper A4<br />

copies later if foreign filing contemplated (optional).<br />

n Top (above page numbers) and left margin is at least<br />

2.5 cm on all pages.<br />

n No sentence is longer than about 13 words, paragraphs<br />

are not longer than about a half a page, and a heading is<br />

supplied about every two pages.<br />

n Claims are separated by an extra line.<br />

n Claims and abstract start on new pages.<br />

n No changes made after application signed.<br />

n <strong>Patent</strong> Application Declaration (PAD) completed,<br />

signed, and dated in ink. (The PTO will accept a PAD, or<br />

virtually any other document which has a photocopy<br />

of your signature. However, you must always be able to<br />

produce the ink-signed original.)<br />

n Parts are assembled in above order and copies are made<br />

for your file.<br />

n Information Disclosure Statement, Forms 10-5 and 10-6 (A<br />

and B) with references attached if you’re filing it with your<br />

application (see Section G below). Otherwise IDS must be<br />

sent within three months.<br />

n Petition to Make Special, Form 10-9 and Supporting<br />

Declaration (optional to speed application processing; see<br />

Section I below).<br />

n Assignment and transmittal letter (optional—see Section<br />

H below).<br />

n Envelope addressed to:<br />

Mail Stop <strong>Patent</strong> Application<br />

P.O. Box 1450<br />

Alexandria, VA 22313-1450*<br />

n If there are joint inventors, all should complete, sign, and<br />

date multiple copies of a Joint Owners’ Agreement (Form<br />

16-2; Chapter 16, Section C) and each inventor should keep<br />

an original. Do not file this with the PTO.<br />

n Have another person check your papers for compliance with<br />

these rules.<br />

* Not applicable for EFS-Web filings.

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