The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced earlier this year in a press release that we are implementing electronic patent issuance in the form of electronic patent grants (eGrants). This new method helps inventors access their newly-granted patents the same day we publicly issue them via Patent Center, while simultaneously minimizing paper waste and potentially reducing patent pendency.
All patents issued on April 18, 2023 and forward will be issued as eGrants. During a transition period, patentees will also receive a ceremonial paper copy in the mail. Certified copies and presentation copies will still be offered for a fee through the USPTO Certified Copy Center. After the transition period, a selection of patent grant copies, including the ceremonial copy, will be available for purchase at a nominal charge. We will notify the public when this transition period will end.
Additional resources such as the full Federal Register Notice and the eGrants FAQ document can be found on the eGrants webpage of the USPTO website.