The USPTO remains open for business as normal during the partial Federal government shutdown.  According to the USPTO, the agency can use prior-year fee collections to continue normal operations for a few weeks. If these funds are exhausted before the government reopens, however, the USPTO may have to shut down at that time, except for a small staff that will continue handling new applications and IT infrastructure.  For further information regarding adjustments to the USPTO’s operating status, it is important to monitor the USPTO website.