Legal Information and Guidance

General information concerning patents and the patent process

More information and contact

Inquiries regarding Patent Center and other USPTO IT systems may be directed to the Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC), by telephone: 1-866-217-9197 (toll-free) and 571-272-4100, or by email: ebc@uspto.gov. Hours are 6 a.m. to 12 midnight ET, Monday through Friday.

Inquiries regarding IT policy for U.S. national patent applications may be directed to Office of Patent Legal Administration at (571) 272-7701.

Inquiries regarding IT policy for international patent applications may be directed to Office of Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Legal Administration Helpdesk, which provides information and assistance on the PCT process, by telephone at (571) 272-4300 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday or by fax at (571) 273-0419.