Termination of Suspension of Express Mail of USPS for mail addressed to ZIP 202xx thru 205xx

Termination of the Suspension of the "Express Mail" Service of United States Postal Service for mail addressed to
ZIP Codes 202xx through 205xx

On Friday, November 16, 2001, the United States Postal Service (USPS) temporarily suspended Express Mail service to Washington, D.C., ZIP Codes 202xx through 205xx (e.g., 20231). On Tuesday, November 20, 2001, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) posted a notice on its Internet Web site (http://www.uspto.gov/september11/uspsmaildisrup.htm) establishing an Arlington, VA 22202 address for use on an emergency basis for patent-related correspondence being delivered to the USPTO by the USPS's Express Mail service.

On Thursday, November 29, 2001, the USPS indicated that this suspension of Express Mail service has been terminated. Since the USPS has terminated this suspension of Express Mail service, patent-related correspondence being delivered to the USPTO by the USPS (either by first class or Express Mail service) should now be addressed as set forth in 37 CFR 1.1(a)(1); that is, patent-related correspondence should now be addressed:

Assistant Commissioner for Patents
Washington, DC 20231.

While the USPTO prefers that patent-related correspondence be addressed as set forth in 37 CFR 1.1(a)(1) (i.e., to the above Washington, DC 20231 address), the USPTO will continue to accept patent-related correspondence at the Arlington, VA 22202 address indicated in the notice published on November 20, 2001 on the USPTO's Internet Web site and treat such correspondence as if it were addressed as set forth in 37 CFR 1.1 for purposes of 37 CFR 1.8 and 1.10 until further notice.

Questions concerning this notice should be directed to Cynthia Nessler, Legal Advisor, Office of Patent Legal Administration at (703) 308-6906.

Date:Signed
05 December 2001

/s/
Nicholas. P. Godici
Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and
Acting Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office