與中國不同，美國郵局像個多功能“派出所”

 上郵局給小孩辦美國護照時，我就瞅著郵局像美國國務院在我們這兒設立的派出所。我現在告訴大家，郵局還像美國專利局的派出所。這大概算是“小政府”治國的一個細節吧。如符合條件，有些文件和費用，在郵局deposit就等於在專利局file。大家申請專利，如果很計較日子，比如申請日，答複期限等等，就不要忘記利用美國郵局的這個派出所功能。The Director may by rule prescribe that any paper or fee required to be filed in the Patent and Trademark Office will be considered filed in the Office on the date on which it was deposited with the United States Postal Service or would have been deposited with the United States Postal Service but for postal service interruptions or emergencies designated by the Director. 有問題但不想公開交流，請使用[e-mail]