Advisory (13DEC2012): A new version (2.2.5) of the ADS form (PTO/AIA/14) is now available. The new version includes a new "Non-Applicant Assignee Information" section. In addition, if you used AIA/14 form version 2.2.3 or earlier and marked the "Authorization to Permit Access" checkbox, the ADS received by USPTO may not display your selection.
Advisory (20SEPT2012): Version 2.2.4 of the ADS form (PTO/AIA/14) is now available. If you filed version 2.2.3 or earlier and marked the "Authorization to Permit Access" checkbox, the ADS received by USPTO may not display your selection. The version number can be located at the lower left of the AIA/14 form.
Applicants are advised to check Private PAIR to verify the indication on the PTO/AIA/14 that is filed via EFS-Web, and to review the filing receipt which will indicate when an acceptable authorization has been received. If your authorization was not recorded, a PTO/SB/39 form can be used to provide authorization to access by Participating Offices.
Advisory (13SEPTEMBER2012): Due to system maintenance, EFS-Web & EFS-Web Contingency will be unavailable from 12 a.m. until 6 a.m. Sunday, September 16.
Advisory (24AUGUST2012): EFS-Web filers may use Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions 9.5.2 and 10.1.4 to complete EFS-Web Fillable Forms (eADS, eIDS, etc.). Previous versions remain compatible:
* 7.0.8, 7.0.9, 7.1.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 7.1.3, 7.1.4
* 8.1.1, 8.1.2, 8.1.3, 8.1.4, 8.1.5, 8.1.6, 8.1.7, 8.2, 8.2.1, 8.2.2, 8.2.3, 8.2.4, 8.2.5, 8.2.6, 8.3, 8.3.1;
* 9.0, 9.1, 9.1.1, 9.1.2, 9.2, 9.3, 9.3.1, 9.3.2, 9.3.3, 9.3.4, 9.4, 9.4.1, 9.4.2, 9.4.3, 9.4.4, 9.4.5, 9.4.6, 9.4.7, 9.5, 9.5.1;
* 10.0, 10.0.1, 10.1, 10.1.1, 10.1.2, 10.1.3
Advisory (3MAY2012): Please Do Not Install Java 7
On May 2, Oracle Corporation announced that Java 7 update 4 (7u4) is now the new default Java version. If you have the Java Update feature enabled on your computer, you may be prompted to update
to the latest version. At this time, EFS-Web and Private PAIR do not support Java 7.
USPTO recommends that you do not upgrade to Java 7 until further notice. We are aware of the problem and will continue to work on the issue until it is resolved.
If you encounter any problems, please call the Patent Electronic Business Center at 866-217-9197 (toll free) or send an email to EBC@uspto.gov
Advisory (3MAY2012): Visit http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/afcp.jsp to learn about the After Final Consideration Pilot, part of the USPTO's on-going efforts towards compact prosecution and increased collaboration between examiners and stakeholders.
Advisory (20APRIL2012): EFS-Web filers may use Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions 9.5.1 and 10.1.3 to complete EFS-Web Fillable Forms (eADS, eIDS, etc.). Previous versions remain compatible:
* 7.0.8, 7.0.9, 7.1.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 7.1.3, 7.1.4
* 8.1.1, 8.1.2, 8.1.3, 8.1.4, 8.1.5, 8.1.6, 8.1.7, 8.2, 8.2.1, 8.2.2, 8.2.3, 8.2.4, 8.2.5, 8.2.6, 8.3, 8.3.1;
* 9.0, 9.1, 9.1.1, 9.1.2, 9.2, 9.3, 9.3.1, 9.3.2, 9.3.3, 9.3.4, 9.4, 9.4.1, 9.4.2, 9.4.3, 9.4.4, 9.4.5, 9.4.6, 9.4.7, 9.5;
* 10.0, 10.0.1, 10.1, 10.1.1, 10.1.2
Advisory (6APR2012): Problem with Firefox and older Java versions
On April 2, Mozilla Foundation announced that the Firefox browser would start blocking older versions of the Java plug-in from running.
When accessing EFS-Web for Registered eFilers and Private PAIR with Firefox, an error message may appear on the Authentication Page stating: Java Not Enabled.
USPTO recommends that you upgrade to the latest version of Java, which is Version 6 Update 31. Please visit www.Java.com using your Firefox browser, click on "Free Java Download", and follow the installation steps provided.
For assistance, please call the Patent EBC at (866) 217-9197 (toll free) or send email to EBC@uspto.gov.
Advisory (21FEB2012): The Office is no longer accepting Petitions to Make Special Under the Green Technology Pilot Program or requests for reconsideration based solely on a defective original petition. The program will meet its limit based on petitions that were previously filed and are awaiting decision.
The pending petitions will be taken in turn as set forth in the original Notice, i.e., in the order that the applications are in condition for examination. The Office will treat any pending petition in an application that is in condition for examination on or before the cut-off date, i.e., the date that the 3,500th application for which a petition is granted was in condition for examination. Pending requests for reconsideration based upon a defective original petition will only be considered if they were filed on or before the cut-off date.
Requests for reconsideration based solely on an erroneous decision may continue to be filed and will be considered.
More information on the program can be found at http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/green_tech.jsp.
Advisory (17JAN2012): EFS-Web filers may use Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions 9.5 and 10.1.2 to complete EFS-Web Fillable Forms (eADS, eIDS, etc.). Previous versions remain compatible:
* 7.0.8, 7.0.9, 7.1.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 7.1.3, 7.1.4
* 8.1.1, 8.1.2, 8.1.3, 8.1.4, 8.1.5, 8.1.6, 8.1.7, 8.2, 8.2.1, 8.2.2, 8.2.3, 8.2.4, 8.2.5, 8.2.6, 8.3, 8.3.1;
* 9.0, 9.1, 9.1.1, 9.1.2, 9.2, 9.3, 9.3.1, 9.3.2, 9.3.3, 9.3.4, 9.4, 9.4.1, 9.4.2, 9.4.3, 9.4.4, 9.4.5, 9.4.6, 9.4.7;
* 10.0, 10.0.1, 10.1, 10.1.1