EFS-Web Announcements
UPDATED: 27 October 2009
All customers are encouraged to register so they are ready to use the full features of EFS-Web for Registered eFilers and Private PAIR.
For questions/comments or further assistance on any announcement below, please send an e-mail to ebc@uspto.gov or call the Patent Electronic Business Center at 1-866-217-9197 (toll-free) or 571-272-4100 from 6 a.m. to 12 Midnight Eastern Time, Monday – Friday.
Recent Announcements
Advisory (27OCT2009): A revision to the EFS-Web Legal Framework has been published as a Federal Register notice which provides additional benefits and clarifications to EFS-Web users (e.g., a PKI certificate holder may designate a single employee of a contractor to use the holder’s certificate under the holder’s direction and control). The Supplemental Information section of the notice summarizes the changes. Furthermore, the PKI Subscriber Agreement has also been revised accordingly, and the Frequently Asked Questions regarding EFS-Web will be updated in due course
Advisory (19OCT2009): 7.1.4, 8.1.7 and 9.2 can now be used to complete EFS-Web eForms (IDS, ADS, etc.). The following Acrobat and Reader versions are also compatible: 7.0.8, 7.0.9, 7.1.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 7.1.3, 8.1.1, 8.1.2, 8.1.3, 8.1.4, 8.1.5, 8.1.6, 9.0, 9.1, 9.1.1 and 9.1.2. Adobe software updates can be downloaded from the Adobe Web site at http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions.
Advisory (9OCT2009): USPTO has launched a redesigned USPTO.gov website. Please contact the EBC at 866-217-9197 if you need assistance with navigation or to report any problems with EFS-Web and PAIR related pages.
>>For EFS-Web navigation tips, see the Quick Start Guide on how to access EFS-Web [PDF, 188KB].
Advisory (24SEPT2009): Please do not enter any preceding spaces or tabs when entering an application number (or control number for a reexamination proceeding) on the initial EFS-Web screen. If a user does enter a preceding space or tab when filing a follow-on submission to an existing design application, provisional application, or reexamination proceeding, EFS-Web will present screens that contain only document descriptions and fee codes for utility applications (rather than those for the appropriate type of application or proceeding). This issue will be resolved in the next EFS-Web release.
Advisory (24SEPT2009):To ensure efficient processing, the document description "First Action Interview - Schedule Interview Request" should only be used as part of the First Action Interview (FAI) Pilot Program. To learn more about the FAI program, click here. To request an interview for applications which are not in the FAI program, use the document description "Letter Requesting Interview with Examiner".
Advisory (24AUG2009): When an eIDS (electronic Information Disclosure Statement) fillable form (PTO/SB/08a -- http://www.uspto.gov/ebc/portal/efs/US_IDS_Form__SB_08a.pdf) is filed via EFS-Web, citation information for the U.S. patents and U.S. patent application publications is automatically loaded to USPTO systems. Note that EFS-Web automatic processing is currently limited to one eIDS form per EFS-Web submission. To improve processing and ensure that examiners receive all references, all citations should be contained within one eIDS form when possible. An individual eIDS form may contain a listing of (1) a combined total of 50 U.S. patents and U.S. patent application publications, (2) 50 foreign patent documents, and (3) 50 NPLs. If more than one eIDS form is necessary, each additional eIDS should be filed as a separate follow-on submission in EFS-Web to enable automatic processing of the form. In a future release of EFS-Web, auto processing of multiple eIDS forms filed in a single submission will be provided.
Advisory (28JUL2009): Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 9.1.2, 8.1.6, and 7.1.3 can now be used to complete EFS-Web eForms (IDS, ADS, etc.). Currently supported versions remain compatible: Acrobat and Reader 7.0.8, 7.0.9, 7.1.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.1.1, 8.1.2, 8.1.3, 8.1.4, 8.1.5, 9.0, 9.1 and 9.1.1. Adobe software updates can be downloaded from the Adobe Web site.
Advisory (20JUL2009):Due to the recent Private PAIR and EFS-Web Portal environment upgrade, previous bookmarks linking directly to the Authentication page need to be recreated. We recommend that users go to the Portal Home page at http://portal.uspto.gov/external/portal/home; Right-click on the link to the appropriate application (i.e. Private PAIR or EFS-Web); Select 'Add to favorites' to create new bookmarks directly to the Private PAIR and EFS-Web Authentication page.
Advisory (30MAR2009): Starting April 1, 2009, please use "Transmittal Letter" as the document description for the letter that accompanies the IDS form. The "Information Disclosure Statement Letter" document description will not be available after April 6, 2009, in order to simplify and improve internal document processing.
Advisory (16JAN2009): Effective Jan 21, 2009 at 9:00 AM, the USPTO is making a change to its firewall protocol settings to comply with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards. EFS-Web filers will need to check their web browser settings for SSLv3 and TLSv1. All EFS-Web compatible browsers (e.g. Microsoft IE 6.0, Firefox, Safari) support both SSLv3 and TLSv1. To check your browser settings in Microsoft IE 6.0 go to Browser menu bar and select Tools>Internet Options. Select the Advanced Tab on the far right. Find the Security section (near the bottom) and make sure the boxes labeled Use SSL 3.0 and TLS 1.0 are checked. The box labeled Use SSL 2.0 should be unchecked. See Steps to enable the SSL3 and TLS1 settings.
E-Biz Alerts
Status and Availability of Online Business Systems
Current Status, Planned Events, Descriptions, Operating Requirements/Compatibilities and Standard Hours of Availability for Online Business Systems
EFS-Web Hours of Operation
EFS-Web Availability:
| New Applications: | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year |
| Follow-on Submissions: | 23 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year . Unavailable daily from 4:30AM - 5:30AM ET |
| Fee Payment: | 21 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. May be unavailable on Sundays 2:00AM - 5:00AM ET |
E-Alerts
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For more information please visit the e-Alerts website.
Announcement Archives
2006-2008 Announcements
Archived 2008 Advisories
ADVISORY (07NOV2008) : EFS-Web filers can now use the latest version of Adobe Reader, version 9.0, to complete EFS-Web fillable PDF forms. Submitting a Form-Fillable PDF via EFS-Web provides auto-loading of data directly into USPTO databases. In addition, realtime auto-processing is available for the following e-Petitions:
- SB66 Petition to Accept Unintentionally Delayed Payment of Maintenance Fee in an Expired Patent (37 CFR 1.378(c))
- SB130 Petition to Make Special based on Age.
EFS-Web fillable PDF forms remain compatible with previous Adobe Reader versions 7.0.8, 7.0.9, 8.1.1, and 8.1.2. Download Reader 9.0 from the Adobe Web site.
Advisory (07NOV08): Effective Nov. 1, 2008, applicants may select IP Australia (IPAU) as the International Search Authority (ISA) in international applications filed in the United States Receiving Office. International applications selecting IPAU as the ISA may be filed via EFS-Web. The ISA/AU search fee (Fee Code 1712) may also be paid via EFS-Web.
Advisory (24SEP08): The http://www.uspto.gov/ebc/portal/efs/legal.htm EFS-Web Legal Framework has been updated to reflect enhancements introduced in EFS-Web 1.4.
Advisory (03SEP2008): In a previous announcement, it was posted that EFS-Web would validate the PCT number and the international filing date entered in a 371 National Stage application. Unfortunately, this feature was not ready for production and was not deployed in the latest EFS-Web release.
Advisory (18AUG2008): New features available for e-filers as of 17AUG2008. See EFS-Web 1.4 for details.
ADVISORY (10JUN2008) : When submitting a Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Request, all documents (except preliminary amendments and information disclosure statements (IDSs) including foreign patent documents and non-patent literature) related to Patent Prosecution Highway should be indexed as "Petition to Make Special under Patent Pros Hwy." Unlike other filings, documents should not be separated. IDSs including foreign patent documents and non-patent literature should be indexed as “Information Disclosure Statement Filed,” “Foreign Reference,” and “NPL Documents,” respectively. Preliminary amendments should be indexed as “Preliminary Amendment.”
For more information about PPH, visit: http://www.uspto.gov/main/patents.htm .
ADVISORY (02JUN2008) : Effective 28 April 2008, eligible applicants may participate in the First-Action Interview (FAI) Pilot Program . An interview under this pilot program would advance prosecution of the application because it would enhance the interactions between the applicant and the examiner, provide applicant the opportunity to resolve patentability issues one-on-one with the examiner at the beginning of the prosecution process, and facilitate possible early allowance. FAI enrollment requests must be filed via EFS-Web and should be index as First Action Interview - Enrollment Request under the First Action Interview Pilot category. See the FAI web page for more information.
ADVISORY (22MAY2008) : The list of PDF creation software products following this paragraph is compatible with EFS-Web. The USPTO does not endorse, certify, nor guarantee any of the products on this list; rather the USPTO is simply stating these products have been used in conjunction with EFS-Web filings and have no known compatibility problems.
- Adobe Acrobat Professional
- ABXPDF Writer (Freeware)
- Open Office (Freeware)
- Easy Office (Ad ware)
- Cute PDF (Freeware)
- PDF Redirect (Freeware)
- PDF 995 (Ad ware)
- Primo PDF (Freeware)
PDF creation software programs that are not on this list may not be compatible with EFS-Web, and their use may result in document image degradation, processing delays, and/or notice from OPAP (Office of Patent Application Processing), formerly OIPE (Office of Initial Patent Examination).
ADVISORY (14APR2008) : Documents for the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program between USPTO and JPO, UK IPO, CIPO, KIPO and IPAU must be submitted via EFS-Web. Document description, Petition to make special under Patent Prosecution Hwy under the Petition category is available to index PPH requests. See JPO , UK IPO , CIPO , KIPO, and IPAU for more information on the PPH programs.
ADVISORY (20MAR2008) : The Petition for Expedited Foreign Filing License can now be filed via EFS-Web. This petition and all related documents should be indexed as Petition for Expedited Foreign Filing Licenses under the Petition category. Applicant is not required to refile application parts if the petition is for an existing application. .
ADVISORY (17FEB2008) : New features available for e-filers as of 17FEB2008. See EFS-Web 1.3 for details.
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.
Archived 2007 Advisories
ADVISORY (19DEC2007) : Revision to EFS-Web Legal Framework (Part VII) to Clarify the Subscriber Agreement/Signature Policy: E-filers are required to ensure that only documents authorized for submission via EFS-Web are filed. Filing documents that are not authorized for submission via EFS-Web is not in compliance with the subscriber agreement regardless of whether the document is signed by a digital certificate holder or another practitioner. For a list of documents that are not authorized to be filed via EFS-Web, see Legal Framework.
ADVISORY (11NOV2007):New features available for e-filers as of 11NOV2007. See EFS-Web 1.2 for details.
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: 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)
Archived 2006 Advisories
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
