Advisory: When filing an International application (PCT) in the U.S. Receiving Office via EFS-Web, filers must submit all documentation in A4 size (8.27 X 11.69). (14AUG2007)

ADVISORY: If you are attaching a PCT-SAFE Zip file, you will also need to attach the specification, claims, abstract, drawings, etc., as PDF files. These files cannot be added to the Zip file, as EFS-Web will not extract them for processing. The RO/101 and Fee sheet, in the Zip file, are all that EFS-Web extracts for processing. (07AUG2007)

ADVISORY: In an effort to improve internal processing of the Information Disclosure Statement (IDS), the USPTO has created a new document description for the letter that accompanies the IDS form.  Starting July 29, 2007, please use Information Disclosure Statement letter and not Information Disclosure Statement when submitting the letter that accompanies the IDS form. (31JUL2007)

ADVISORY: New features available for e-filers as of 08JULY2007. See EFS-Web 1.1.4 for details. (25JUN2007)

ADVISORY: EFS-Web applicants should be aware that when filing a Request for Continued Examination (RCE) using the RCE Transmittal Form (SB 30) that the document description, "Request for Continued Examination", should be used. The document description, "Amendment Submitted/Entered with Filing of CPA/RCE", should NOT be used for this form. (03MAY2007)

ADVISORY: All PDF documents submitted via EFS-Web must have a minimum resolution of 300 DPI. A lower resolution may delay processing and publication of your application. See PDF Guidelines for further details. (24APR2007)

>> READ ABOUT UPDATED FEATURES in EFS-Web 1.1.3A (14APR2007)

ADVISORY (29DEC2006) : EFS-Web applicants should continue using Adobe Reader 7.0.8. USPTO Form-Fillable PDFs are not compatible with the latest Adobe Reader 8.0 upgrade. Currently Adobe Reader version 7.0.8 is the only valid reader version that is supported by USPTO forms. EFS-Web Applicants who have already upgraded their Adobe Reader can revert back to Adobe Reader 7.0.8 using the following steps: >> READ MORE

ADVISORY: The USPTO discontinued support of EFS/ABX & ePAVE at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 10 November 2006

ADVISORY: Petitions filed under 37 CFR 1.378(c) SB66 - Petition to Accept Unintentionally Delayed Payment of Maintenance Fee in an Expired Patent (37 CFR 1.378(c)) - can be submitted and are auto-grantable via EFS-Web. For help with filing auto-grantable petitions, visit: the Quick Start Guide for Petitions. All EFS-Web Forms and Guides can be retrieved via the EFS-Web Tools page (24OCT2006)

ADVISORY (26SEP2006): The USPTO has been receiving numerous filings where users incorrectly index their documents using Accelerated Examination descriptions. Though no rights to your patent are affected, erroneously indexed documents can negatively impact your processing time. >> READ MORE

Accelerated Examination petitions can now be submitted via EFS-Web. See Accelerated Examination for details. (28AUG2006)

ADVISORY: The USPTO has noticed that some users are attaching the PTO-2038 form as a PDF along with their EFS-Web submission. Please be advised that this is not recommended and by doing so your credit card information may be displayed via PAIR. To protect your information, we recommend paying fees online by using the electronic payment method or attaching a fee sheet. PTO-2038 should only be faxed or mailed to the USPTO.

ADVISORY: How to Index Documents
The EFS Team has noticed many issues regarding the mis-indexing of documents. Please read these instructions to reduce errors when choosing document codes. Visit http://www.uspto.gov/ebc/portal/tutorials.htm for a recorded Webinar presentation on document indexing.