human: Why were the small entity forms (PTO/SB/9-12) deleted from the website and how do I now claim small entity status?
assistant: The small entity forms were deleted because effective September 8, 2000, small entity status can be established at any time by a simple written assertion of entitlement to small entity status. Specific forms, like PTO/SB/9-12, are no longer required but the Office will still accept them as a written assertion of entitlement to small entity status. The Office will liberally construe any written reference to small entity status to be a request for small entity status. Several PTO forms, such as the transmittal forms (PTO/SB/5,17,21,50 and 56) and the provisional cover sheet (PTO/SB/16), have been modified to include a box which can be checked to establish small entity status. For more information, see "Simplified Small Entity Status Practice" at http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/dcom/olia/pbg/cpr.htm .