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Any invention made by a Postal Service employee must be reported even though the employee is filing a patent application through outside counsel. An employee does not have clear title to an invention until a determination has been made as to possible Postal Service rights in the invention.
Inventions should be reported as soon as the inventor makes a written description, drawing, or model of the invention.
Invention reports must be sent to the:
PATENT COUNSEL
LAW DEPT
US POSTAL SERVICE
475 L’ENFANT PLZ SW
WASHINGTON DC 20260–1123
The following necessary information must be supplied in duplicate:
- Inventor’s name and address.
- Inventor’s job title and a brief description of duties.
- Title of the invention and a full description of the invention. A model of the invention should not be sent unless it is requested.
- A description of the Postal Service’s contribution to the invention, if any. To show this, indication of whether the following statements are true should be provided and reasons given for any yes responses:
- The invention was made during workhours.
- The Postal Service contributed facilities, equipment, materials, funds, information, or the time or services of other Postal Service employees on official duty.
- The invention bears a direct relation to, or was made in consequence of, official duties.
Note: Give the reason for any yes answer above.
A supervisor is to review the information and certify that to the best of his or her knowledge the report is true. A supervisor who does not agree with any part of the report must attach a statement of reasons for disagreeing. The supervisor’s review is for the purpose of verifying:
- Whether the invention was made with a contribution by the Postal Service of facilities, equipment, materials, funds, information, or the time or service of other Postal Service employees on official duty.
- The relation, if any, of the invention to the assigned duties of the inventor.
- Whether the invention was made during workhours.
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