In preparation of a patent for issuance as a patent grant, if the Office of Patent Publication discovers an error in the text, or drawings of a patent application, including any missing text, or an inconsistency between the drawings and the application papers, the Office of Patent Publication may require an appropriate amendment to the specification or drawings. 37 CFR 1.312, however, does not permit an amendment after the payment of the issue fee without withdrawal of the application from issue.

In order to be able to accept such an amendment as may be required without having to withdraw an application from issue, the Office of Patent Publication is hereby delegated the authority to waive the requirement of 37 CFR 1.312 and accept an amendment filed after the payment of the issue fee.

For information on this notice, contact the Office of Patent Publication at (703) 305-8263.

KEY: =online business system =fees =forms=help =laws/regulations =definition (glossary)

The Inventors Assistance Center is available to help you on patent matters.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.