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DOC/PTO RIN: 0651-AC27 Publication ID: Spring 2011 
Title: Changes to Practice for Documents Submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office 
Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is amending its rules of practice to limit the types of correspondence that may be submitted to the USPTO by facsimile. The USPTO would also implement a higher minimum font size for use on paper submitted to the USPTO for a patent application or reexamination proceeding, and to clarify that papers that are to become part of the file of a patent application or reexamination proceeding must be readily readable. These changes will improve the legibility of documents in the USPTO's file of patent applications and reexamination proceedings. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-Term Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1    37 CFR 2    37 CFR 3   
Legal Authority: 35 USC 2(b)(2)   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  08/06/2008  73 FR 45662   
NPRM Comment Period End  10/06/2008    
Final Action  To Be Determined    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Joni Y. Chang
Senior Legal Advisor
Department of Commerce
Patent and Trademark Office
P. O. Box 1450,
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
Phone:571 272-7720
Fax:571 273-7720