Advisory (12DEC2013): The ABXPDF Writer software is obsolete and no longer supported.
Contact the Patent EBC for assistance: 1-866-217-9197 or EBC@USPTO.GOV (link sends e-mail)
Advisory (25NOV2013): Are you filing an RCE that includes an information disclosure statement? If so, please assist the USPTO in our efforts to reduce RCE filings by completing our brief survey (link is external).
Advisory (22NOV2013): USPTO is pleased to announce the release of EFS-Web 1.8 on November 24, 2013. This release contains a number of new features and improvements, including:
1. A web-based version of the ADS (AIA/14). Applicants have the option to use the new Web-ADS or continue to attach the ADS as a PDF.
>>For more information, please see Quick Start Guide for Web-based ADS
2. Prior Art and Written Statement Submission into a Patent File under 37 CFR 1.501 may be filed by selecting the appropriate option via EFS-Web.
>>For more information, please see Quick Start Guide for Citation of Prior Art under CFR 1.501
3. New web-based ePetition to Accept Unintentional Delayed Payment of the Maintenance Fee in an Expired Patent (37 CFR 1.378(c)). The PDF-based version of this ePetition remains available but was not updated to support micro entity fees. Pertinent small and micro entity fees can be paid in Web-based ePetitions. Petitioners also have the ability to claim micro entity in web-based ePetitions and eTerminal Disclaimer.
>>For more information, please see Quick Start Guide for ePetitions
4. Selecting the Track 1 fee no longer auto-selects the additional required fees.
>>For more information, please see Quick Start Guide for Prioritized Examination (Track One)
5. Third-Party Preissuance Submission under 37 CFR 1.290 may enter U.S. patent numbers 4,000,000 and below.
>>For more information, please see Quick Start Guide for Third-Party Preissuance Submissions under 37 CFR 1.290
6. 17 character international application numbers may be entered when filing a 371 National Stage application, which permits an applicant to identify an international application series number that does not begin with a zero (e.g., PCT/DE2012/100001, PCT/JP2006/300001).
NOTE: ePetition usage is unavailable for:
(1) ePetition to Withdraw from Issue when a Micro Entity Issue Fee is paid;
(2) ePetition to Accept Payment of Issue Fee when a Micro Entity Issue Fee is paid;
(3) When indicating that a required fee has previously been paid, the following fees cannot be selected:
- RCE 1st Request (micro entity fee code: 3801)
- RCE 2nd and subsequent (1820/2820/3820)
(4) PDF-based ePetition to Accept Unintentional Delayed Payment of the Maintenance Fee when paying either Micro or Small Entity Fees.
Advisory (19NOV2013): A new Patent Application Initiatives Timeline web page is now accessible to applicants and displays information on important patent programs and initiatives during each phase of the application process.
Advisory (30SEPT2013): Current operating status for the USPTO
Advisory (26JUL2013): The fee code 1053/2053/3053 with a fee description of "Non-English Translation" can now be found in the "Miscellaneous Fees" section . A new fee code, 1830/2830/3830, with a fee description of "Processing fee, except in provisional applications" can now be found in the "Newly Added Fees" section.
When filing a Track I request, the correct processing fee is "Processing fee, except in provisional applications" (fee code 1830/2830/3830); current Regular Undiscounted fee amount is $140. On the EFS-Web Fee Calculation screen, the old fee code (1808) is auto-selected when the Track I fee is checked. Please unselect "Other publication processing fee" and select "Processing fee, except in provisional applications."
Contact the Patent EBC for assistance: 1-866-217-9197 or EBC@USPTO.GOV (link sends e-mail)
Advisory (23MAY2013): On May 3, USPTO changed the fee descriptions for fee codes:
(1) 1053/2053/3053 to "Processing fee, except in provisional applications" (previous description was "Non-English Specification")
(2) 1808 to "Other publication processing fee" (previous description was "Processing fee, except in provisional applications")
When filing a Track I request, the correct processing fee is "Processing fee, except in provisional applications" (fee code 1053/2053/3053); the current Regular Undiscounted fee amount is $140.
On the EFS-Web Fee Calculation screen, the old fee code (1808) is auto-selected when the Track I fee is checked. Please unselect "Other publication processing fee" and select "Processing fee, except in provisional applications".
Contact the Patent EBC for assistance: 1-866-217-9197 or EBC@USPTO.GOV (link sends e-mail).
Advisory (23APR2013): When filing the Fee Transmittal (Part B) of the Notice of Allowance and Fee(s) Due form (PTOL-85b) via EFS-Web, please be sure that the second page of the 85b with the authorized signature is included.
Advisory (11APR2013): Filing an ePetition or eTerminal Disclaimer is a fast and convenient process via EFS-Web. For more information on how you can file an ePetition or eTerminal Disclaimer, please visit www.uspto.gov/terminaldisclaimer or www.uspto.gov/epetitions
Advisory (19MAR2013): For micro-entity filers submitting Extension of Time fees, only the exact fee amount can be paid at this time. Previously paid extension of time fees cannot be applied to the current extension of time payment. Applicants with deposit account may select to authorize over-payments to be credited to their deposit account by selecting the appropriate checkbox on the Fee Payment screens.
Advisory (11FEB2013): Notice of Clarifying Modifications made to the USPTO's Public Key Infrastructure ("PKI") Subscriber Agreement
The USPTO's Public Key Infrastructure ("PKI") Subscriber Agreement has been modified to clarify that it is strictly prohibited for a PKI certificate(s) holder using Private PAIR, to access any nonpublic patent application or documents owned by another, absent specific authorization. The Agreement modifications also clarify the procedures to be followed in the case of any such access, and the grounds for revocation of the certificate(s). Lastly, the modifications make clear that PKI certificate(s) issued are not licenses required by law.
You can download the modified PKI Subscriber Agreement at: http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/status/private_pair/PKI_Subscriber_Agreement.pdf
Continued use of the system after posting this notice will constitute agreement to the updated terms.
For assistance, please call the Patent EBC at (866) 217-9197 (toll free) or send email to EBC@uspto.gov (link sends e-mail).