Waiver of Original Handwritten Signature Requirement Due to the COVID-19 Outbreak
other · US Patent and Trademark Office · Published 2020-03-30 · 85 FR 17502
Document
Document number
2020-06186
Federal Register citation
85 FR 17502
CFR reference
37 CFR 1
Type
Rule
Action
Waiver of regulations.
Category
other
Sub-agency
US Patent and Trademark Office
Publication date
2020-03-30
Commerce docket
Docket No.: PTO-P-2020-0018
Abstract
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) considers the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak to be an extraordinary situation. Therefore, pursuant to the Office's authority, the USPTO is waiving its only regulatory requirements for an original handwritten signature personally signed in permanent dark ink or its equivalent for certain correspondence with the Office of Enrollment and Discipline and certain payments by credit card. In both instances, the Office will accept copies of handwritten signatures. The USPTO has no other requirements for original handwritten, ink signatures.