<img width="1" height="1" src='https://gcfagjf.r.bh.d.sendibt3.com/tr/op/U4ory0d0kvjRAAXKyNN-fSema6Vybm0NFEi1x7eMM3ClWOEEUQ2eA0XQV4M787B0J-EOszjmnulYMBL-zFLTDtHH_96LjY106kc4v1tg7sOP3pcALZyPoOMFNPyqitq1dC2p4LoyMGQal7_S3swVmY7Uh-vomQSsPWWkZJZNH_Gb' /><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div>There was a case some years back in which a pro se inventor sent the PTO a check for a maintenance fee. It was a few dollars short of the necessary amount. The PTO deposited the check but didn't renew the patent because of the shortfall and didn't tell him that they let the patent lapse. He found out a few years later and sued the PTO. PTO took it all the way to the CAFC, which told the PTO to stop being assholes, take the man's money for the shortfall and reinstate the patent.</div><div><br></div><div>I understand that some people in this group get really, really concerned about small details, even when it pertains to bureaucratic nonsense.It comes with the territory. And better to avoid a fight with the PTO, even if you're right, if the fight will cost you more than playing along with the PTO's stupidities.</div><div><br></div><div>But this? It's a frickin' form, everyone knows what it's for, and the PTO is taking your money (if patent center can calculate the correct amount). Do you think there are people at the PTO waiting to say, "Sorry, you filed that form and paid the fee using PC rather than EFS or fax, you lose!" ?</div><div><br></div>Dan</div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 11:25\u202fPM Randall Svihla via Patentcenter <<a href="mailto:patentcenter@oppedahl-lists.com">patentcenter@oppedahl-lists.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div class="msg-7142708338857881234">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Fairness,
<span class="m_-7142708338857881234SpellE">schmerness</span>.<span> </span>You can bet if your livelihood depends on it, the USPTO will throw you under the bus.<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
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