Some of these methods are appropriate for any document, others may only be available as a proper means of sending certain documents. For example, facsimile’s may not be used to send in documents that will be used to receive a filing date (i.e., a nonprovisional application). We will cover many more rules of mailing in this chapter.

This chapter also covers small entity status and micro entity status where certain applications qualify for discounted fees due to particulars about the inventor(s). These particulars will determine whether the application may qualify for small or micro entity status.

This chapter is tested a fairly high amount on the patent bar exam. You can expect to answer a question or two pertaining to small entity status and proper mailing procedures.