PCT Legal Administration | PCT Legal Affairs | PCT Special Programs | Inventor Assistance Center |
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INTRODUCTION The Inventors Assistance Center (IAC), formerly the Patent Assistance Center (PAC) provides patent information and services to the public. The IAC is staffed by former Supervisory Patent Examiners and experienced Primary Examiners who answer general questions concerning patent examining policy and procedure. SERVICES PROVIDED
HOW TO CONTACT THE IAC
Upon dialing either of the above telephone numbers, you will first reach an automated information system. Often, the information sought can be obtained without speaking to a IAC representative. If you do not find the necessary information using the automated information system, your call will be forwarded to a General Information Services (GIS) operator who can provide literature on patent topics, send you forms, and answer basic questions if this is all that is needed. The GIS operator will transfer calls to the IAC as necessary. Currently, the IAC handles approximately 320 calls per day. So that we may assist all of our customers, we ask that you limit your calls to a reasonable length of time. A review of the materials available by mail or on the USPTO Web Site prior to your call will make your questions more meaningful and should provide the IAC staff with a better opportunity to properly answer your questions. Before
you contact the IAC, you may find the answers to your
questions in the information available below or on the
USPTO Main Site.
INFORMATION ABOUT SPECIFIC PATENT APPLICATIONS Specific questions concerning a particular patent application should be directed to the Customer Service Representative for the appropriate area as listed below.
Some content linked to on this page requires a plug-in for Adobe Acrobat Reader. Text only links United
States Patent Office Home Page |
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