I'll bring my copy of the MPEP and we can both beat him.

Mailing yourself a copy of your disclosure is no better than dating the disclosure and placing it in a safe place.

The issue of trying to document a date of conception arises because the U.S., unlike many other countries, provides that the first person to invent something is entitled to a patent over someone who later independently invents it but files their patent application first. (Notice I said later "invents" -- someone who copies the invention of another is not entitled to a patent at all, because he is not the inventor)

Since the date of conception is sometimes critical in determining who has the right to a patent, it is important that inventor be able to provide evidence ot the date of conception. The better the evidence, the more likely it is that the person who has to decide the issue is going to believe that the evidence is true.

The evidence can be the inventor's declaration signed under penalty of perjury that he invented the invention on a certain date. While such a declaration may ultimately carry the day, it could become suspect, since the inventor has a vested interest in the outcome and may have a selective memory.

Better than just a declaration might be a declaration accompanied by a signed and dated disclosure. If the inventor executes a declaration under oath that says "I drafted the attached disclosure on May 16, 1999 and dated it that day.. it will be more believable than the inventor just declaring "I invented it on May 16, 1999. At least the person making the decision can understand how the can recall the date of invention and also can objectively look at the disclosure to see if it contains all the elements of the invention.

An even better method, one used by most companies, is to keep laboratory notebooks in which the inventors describe their inventions contemporaneously with the thought process, A good practice is for the inventor to sign and date each page of the notebook after drafts it and then have a person who understands the technology, but who is not personally involved in the invention, sign and date the pages as a witness.

If a dispute ever arises with respect to the date of conception, the relevant portions of the laboratory notebook can be produced and the inventor can declare under oath that he drafted the notebook entry on May 16, 1999 and if that is in dispute the "witness" (who ideally has no vested interest in the outcome) can come in and declare under oath that he witnessed and dated the notbook entry on May 18, 1999. This method provides pretty persuasive evidence of the date of conception.

The U.S.P.T.O's disclosure program allows an inventor to send in a disclosure of his invention. If the date of conception ever becomes an issue, then there is some objective evidence that the inventor had concieved of the invention prior to the date the disclosure was filed. The problem with using this service is many times an invention is created over time with many revisions. You might invent a two wheeled vehicle today, and next week figure out it works really well if you put pedals and a chain on it to power it, then the following month determine that putting a motor on it makes it even better. If you sent in your disclosure after you invented the two wheeled vehicle, but ultimately filed a patent application claiming 1. a two wheeled vehicle, 2. a bicycle and 3. a moped, the disclosure would only evidence the date of conception of the invention of the two wheeled vehicle but not the bicycle or the moped.

So whats the problem with mailing yourself the disclosure of the invention certified mail? It does not provide any more evidence of the date of conception than just signing the disclosure and putting it in a safe place. The inventor will have to declare that he put the disclosure in the envelope prior to sending it (to eliminate the possibility that he sent himself an empty unsealled envelope in May 1999 and stuffed it later in 2004) , and based on the postmark he knows he sent it May 16, 1999. This is no different than the inventor declaring that he dated the papers on May 16, 1999.

OK enough of my rambling I need to go Bill Bill Bill....

BUT NOT BEFORE THE DISCLAIMER:::

(The information provided herein is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys general information related to legal issues. The information provided is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or current. I make no warranty, expressed or implied, about the accuracy or reliability of the information provided (although I'm usually right). You should not use this information as a substitute for retaining competent legal counsel (I research things better when I'm getting paid).
Furthermore, this communication is not intended to create any legal relationship between you or any reader and me.)