The USPTO is designating the interruption in service of the United States Postal Service (USPS) in the areas affected by Hurricane Helene in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, beginning on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, as a postal service interruption and emergency within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. 21(a), and 37 CFR 1.10(i) and 2.195(d). 

Correspondence covered by 37 CFR 1.10 that would have been filed with the USPTO during this USPS service interruption, but that was not filed due to the USPS service interruption, should be filed promptly after the termination of the USPS service interruption with a petition, in accordance with 37 CFR 1.10(i), using Priority Mail Express® service, in accordance with 37 CFR 1.10. 

You can find more information, including the 37 CFR 1.10 petition requirements, in the Official Gazette Notice available on the USPTO’s Patent Related Notices webpage. For more information on major events impacting USPTO stakeholders and guidance, please visit the USPTO website.