USPTO Systems Status and Availability

Tuesday Aug 21, 2018

PALM Maintenance Update

Statement updated at 10:21 a.m. ET August 21, 2018

As we reported on August 20, experts in databases, operating systems, and storage from within the USPTO and from our external vendors are working around the clock to restore the PALM database. They have made significant progress, and expect systems will be returning to service today. Please keep an eye on the bullets below for status of specific systems.

Applicants affected by this outage will have an option to avoid, or receive a refund of, paper filing fees. The director will prescribe a procedure for re-submitting applications electronically to receive a refund of the paper filing fee (or to not incur a fee if not yet paid). Applicants who follow this procedure will maintain their original filing dates for applications filed by paper during the outage. Once the details of this procedure are ready, we will share them on this page. In the meantime, applicants should continue to file and pay associated fees pursuant to current laws and regulations.

Systems not highlighted below, such as all those associated with Trademarks continue to function as normal. We remind you that you may be able to access and use some of the highlighted systems below, but please note that the data in those systems is only valid up to Wednesday, August 15 at 12:01 a.m. ET.

Because the PALM database is down, the following systems are currently unavailable:

  • Electronic Freedom of Information Act (E-FOIA)
  • Electronic Patent Assignment System (ePAS)
  • Global Dossier (GD)
  • Office of Enrollment and Discipline Information System (OEDIS)
  • Order Entry Management System (OEMS)
  • One Portal Dossier (OPD)
  • Patent Global Dossier Public Access Dossier (P-GD-PAD)
  • Private Patent Application Information Retrieval (Private PAIR)
  • Public Patent Application Information Retrieval (Public PAIR)

 

We are aware of how this system outage impacts those who have patent-related business with the USPTO and we know you have questions on a variety of topics. We posted answers to some questions we know you have or that you may be wondering about the PALM database issue.

Further status updates will be issued on this page (www.uspto.gov/blog/ebiz) as they become available. At a minimum, you will see updates at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily.

Thank you for your patience as we work to restore full service as soon as possible.