NOTE 3. Non-Entity Assets

Non-entity assets consist of amounts held on deposit for the convenience of the USPTO customers and fees collected on behalf of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the European Patent Office (EPO). Customers have the option of maintaining a deposit account at the USPTO to facilitate the order process. Customers can draw from their deposit account when they place an order and can replenish their deposit account as desired. Funds maintained in customer deposit accounts are not available for the USPTO use until an order has been placed. Once an order has been placed, the funds are reclassified to entity funds. Also, in accordance with the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the Madrid Protocol Implementation Act, the USPTO collects international fees on behalf of the WIPO and the EPO.

Non-Entity Fund Balance with Treasury as of September 30, 2005 and 2004 (Dollars in Thousands) 2005 2004 Fund Balance with Treasury:     Intragovernmental Deposit Accounts $ 4,230 $ 3,906 Other Customer Deposit Accounts  69,092  66,863 Patent Cooperation Treaty Account   8,248   7,732 Madrid Protocol Account     334       — Total Fund Balance with Treasury $81,904 $78,501 Cash:     Patent Cooperation Treaty Account     787     463 Accounts Receivable:     Other Customer Deposit Accounts     752       — Total Non-Entity Assets $83,443 $78,964

Is there a question about what the USPTO can or cannot do that you cannot find an answer for? Send questions about USPTO programs and services to the USPTO Contact Center (UCC). You can suggest USPTO webpages or material you would like featured on this section by E-mail to the webmaster@uspto.gov. While we cannot promise to accommodate all requests, your suggestions will be considered and may lead to other improvements on the website.