Patent Branch Client Service Commitment

• For patent applications that include a self-addressed return card, we will mail a "filing acknowledgement" within 10 working days from the date of receipt of the application.
  
  
• For patent applications meeting filing requirements, we will issue a "filing certificate" within 4 weeks from the date of receipt of the application.
  
  
• We will issue an ownership "registration certificate" within 6 weeks from the date of receipt of documentation meeting registration requirements.
  
  
• 80% of applications with a request for examination will be waiting for a first substantive examination action (including all known objections to patentability) less than 27 months.
  
  
• We will state, in the first examiner's report, all known objections to patentability at the time of examination.
  
  
• We will issue a patent within 12 weeks after receipt of final fees.
  
  
• We will classify incoming patent documents according to the International Patent Classification system to ensure retrievability.
  
  
• We will continue to improve the quality and timeliness of our services.
  
  

Suggestions, Comments and Complaints

• We welcome your comments, questions and complaints. Contact the Director by telephone at (819) 997-1215, or by facsimile at (819) 994-1989.
  
  
• For information on the processing of applications, please refer to "How Your Patent Application is Processed".
  
  
• Also visit CIPO's Client Service Standards.

Barney de Schneider
Assistant Commissioner of Patents
September 2006