The USPTO has announced a program to collect current e-mail addresses for all registered patent attorneys and patent agents, with a goal of allowing the USPTO to better communicate with those registered before it. The e-mail addresses will be collected on the roster database but will not be available online. In addition, the USPTO is working to implement 37 CFR § 11.11, requiring each patent attorney and patent agent to provide one to three current e-mail addresses to the USPTO. A two-step process has been initiated, the first step utilizing an e-mail address has been set up (below) where each practitioner can provide his or her information in plain text as shown in the following example:

Smith, John Middle
12,345
email1@uspto.gov; email2@uspto.gov; email3@uspto.gov

Please note that your e-mail must originate from one of the three e-mail addresses you provide.

The second step is for each patent attorney and patent agent to send a confirmation letter to Mail Stop OED, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia, 22313-1450, including a statement including the aforementioned information, and confirming (with signature) that the e-mail addresses are used by that practitioner.

USPTO E-mail Program Announcement: LINK
Applicable USPTO E-mail Address: E-MAIL
Patent Attorney/Agent Roster: LINK