[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 37, Volume 1] [Revised as of July 1, 2008] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 37CFR1.2] [Page 12] TITLE 37--PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, AND COPYRIGHTS CHAPTER I--UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PART 1_RULES OF PRACTICE IN PATENT CASES--Table of Contents Subpart A_General Provisions Sec. 1.2 Business to be transacted in writing. 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.