37 CFR 1.2 : Patents, Trademarks, And Copyrights (§ 1.1 To Chapter V) — (§ 1.1 To Chapter V) — United States Patent And Trademark Office, Department Of Commerce (§ 1.1 To Parts 151-199) — General (§ 1.1 To §§ 5.31-5.33) — Rules Of Practice In Patent Cases (§ 1.1 To § 1.1071) — General Provisions (§ 1.1 To § 1.29) — General Information And Correspondence (§ 1.1 To § 1.10) — Business to be transacted in writing.

4 Aug 2016

All business with the Patent and Trademark Office should be transacted in writing. The personal attendance of applicants or their attorneys or agents at the Patent and Trademark Office is unnecessary. The action of the Patent and Trademark Office will be based exclusively on the written record in the Office. No attention will be paid to any alleged oral promise, stipulation, or understanding in relation to which there is disagreement or doubt.

37 CFR 1.2