human: If PRPS is down during normal business hours or other unscheduled outage periods, may I file a petition or other documents via email or mail?
assistant: If you have any difficulties with PRPS, please call the Board at (571) 272-7822. However, if PRPS is unavailable during normal business hours, petitions (and other documents) may be submitted to the Board via email:  Trials@uspto.gov(link sends email).  Petitions submitted via email must include: *          name of point of contact; *          email address of point of contact; *          patent number to which the petition corresponds (or application number in the case of a derivation proceeding); *          application number of the patent; *          petitioner's application number (in the case of a derivation proceeding); *          number of claims challenged; *          type of trial proceeding; *          power of attorney; and *          fee, e.g., a deposit account authorization. In addition, a petition or document submitted via email or other means must: (1) be accompanied by a motion requesting acceptance of the submission, and (2) identify a date of transmission where a party seeks a filing date other than the date of receipt at the Board. 37 C.F.R. § 42.6(b). It is important to note that a petition will not be accorded a filing date unless it is accompanied by a payment of the appropriate fees (e.g., a deposit account authorization). Paper filing via EXPRESS MAIL® (or by means at least as fast and reliable as EXPRESS MAIL®) is authorized only if both PRPS and the Board's email address (Trials@uspto.gov(link sends email)) are unavailable.  The mailing address is: Mail Stop PATENT BOARD Patent Trial and Appeal Board United States Patent and Trademark Office PO Box 1450 Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450 For hand delivery or delivery via FEDEX, UPS, etc.:  Mail Stop PATENT BOARD Patent Trial and Appeal Board United States Patent and Trademark Office Madison Building (East) 600 Dulany Street Alexandria, Virginia 22313