Status of Certification Services

  On November 28, 1995, the Office published an Official Gazette Notice
entitled "Temporary Suspension of At Cost Services for Orders for
Certified Copies" (1180 OG 121) to advise practitioners and the public
of delays in filling orders for certified copies of PTO documents. This
is an update of actual days to mail for orders filled during the month
of July 1996:

Certified Product                       Goal                    Actual
                                                                Calendar
                                                                Days to
                                                                Mail

Patent Application-As-Filed,
Expedited                               7                       14
Patent Application-As-Filed,
Regular                                 17                      18
Patent Related File Wrapper             25                      38
Patent Copy                             10                      3
Patent Assignments                      17                      23

Trademark Application-As-Filed,
Expedited                               7                       18
Trademark Application-As-Filed,
Regular                                 17                      15
Trademark Related File Wrapper          25                      40
Trademark Assignments                   17                      20
Trademark Registration, Expedited       3*                      5*
Trademark Registration, Regular         10*                     7*

* Business Days

Due to backlogs and varying availability of media, customers will not be
advised when orders are not delivered within the published goal periods.
However, customers will be advised if any unexpected delay in their
order has been identified. Customers should use the above actual days to
mail for each product as a guide as to when they can expect their orders.

Delivery of any specific copy will vary based on the availability of
microfilm products and/or file accessibility. Customers are encouraged
to fax orders for copies directly to Certification Division at (703)
308-9759 and to pay by PTO Deposit Account, MasterCard, or Visa.
Information on the status of pending orders may be obtained by calling
(703) 308-9726 or 1 (800) 972-6382 (outside the Washington, D.C. Metro
area).

August 2, 1996                                          WESLEY H. GEWEHR
                                           Administrator for Information
                                                           Dissemination