EFS-Web Announcement Archive 2015

New Features (21DEC2015): USPTO has implemented the following new features in EFS-Web based on user feedback:

(1) Corrected Web-based Application Data Sheet (Corrected Web ADS) -- Registered eFilers may use this option to provide a Corrected/Updated ADS per 37 CFR 1.76(c)(2), where changes will be identified with underlining for insertions and strike-through for text removal. EFS-Web will generate and attach the Corrected ADS PDF. See Quick Start Guide.

(2) Enhanced Initial Web-based Application Data Sheet (Web ADS). EFS-Web eFilers who have been granted power of attorney may retrieve Inventor Information, Domestic Benefit/National Stage data, and/or Foreign Priority data from a parent application when completing their Web ADS submission. See Quick Start Guide.

Import Data for ADS (14DEC2015):

Due to a change in the Adobe software used to create PDF fillable forms, the "Import Data" function is unavailable in the new ADS PDF fillable form. We are working with the vendor to troubleshoot this problem and apologize for any inconvenience.

USPTO Systems Maintenance on December 5th (03DEC2015):

Due to maintenance required on USPTO systems, access to Public PAIR, Private PAIR, EFS-Web and EFS-Web Contingency will be unavailable beginning 12:01 a.m. and ending at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, December 5th ET.

When systems are available, notification will be posted on the USPTO Systems Status and Availability at http://www.uspto.gov/blog/ebiz/

EFS-Web Applicants:

During this outage period, applicants may file new patent applications, new international design applications, and documents and fees for national stage entry under 35 U.S.C. 371 via Priority Mail Express® from the United States Postal Service (USPS) in accordance with 37 CFR 1.10. Applicants may file other documents or fee payments by:

(1) facsimile transmission to the USPTO Central Facsimile (571) 273-8300,
(2) first class mail with a certificate of mailing in accordance with 37 CFR 1.8, or
(3) Priority Mail Express® from the USPS in accordance with 37 CFR 1.10

Please note that filing of a new application under 35 USC 111(a), except reissue, design or plant applications, via Priority Mail Express® requires payment of the non-electronic filing fee (37 CFR 1.16(t)) in addition to the other required fees. The non-electronic filing fee is $400 ($200 for small and micro entities).  Also please note that an international design application filed in paper may be subject to additional WIPO publication fees (see http://www.wipo.int/hague/en/fees/sched.htm (link is external)).

New patent applications, new international design applications, copies of the international (PCT) application and basic national fee necessary to enter the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371, and documents that are required to establish the filing date of an application (e.g., a missing drawing figure or page of the specification) cannot be submitted by facsimile transmission, and certificate of mailing procedures under 37 CFR 1.8 do not apply to these documents. Patent correspondence, including new patent applications, new international design applications, and documents or fee payments, cannot be submitted via e-mail. Please contact the USPTO Inventor’s Assistance Center during business hours (Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM ET) at 1-800-786-9199 if you have any questions regarding alternative filing methods. Information regarding filing by first class mail with a certificate of mailing or by “Priority Mail Express” can also be found in the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP), Sections 512 and 513, available on the USPTO Web site at: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/index.html. Applicants are strongly advised to transmit their electronic filings prior to the outage period to ensure that the submissions are correctly completed.

If you have questions, please contact the Patent EBC at 1-866-217-9197 or ebc@uspto.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

Web-ADS Saved Submissions (25NOV2015): EFS-Web will use a revised Web-ADS starting on November 30, 2015 to facilitate applicant's authorization of access to unpublished U.S. patent applications by foreign intellectual property offices (link is external).  If you saved a Web-ADS form prior to November 30 and retrieve it on or after November 30, your Web ADS saved submission will display in the revised Web ADS version.  

Application Data Sheet (ADS) Form PTO/AIA/14 Revision (16NOV2015): The Application Data Sheet (ADS) form PTO/AIA/14 has been revised and is now posted on the USPTO patents forms page for submission on or after November 30, 2015. The changes to the ADS form were announced in the Federal Register. See Changes to Facilitate Applicant’s Authorization of Access to Unpublished U.S. Patent Applications by Foreign Intellectual Property Offices; (link is external) found on http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-10-27/pdf/2015-27335.pdf (link is external) Final Rule (October 27, 2015).

Applicants are no longer required to select an opt-in check box on the ADS form to provide the USPTO with authorization to permit a foreign intellectual property office participating in the priority document exchange (PDX) program access to a U.S. priority application. Instead, the revised ADS form contains by default the authorization to permit access to the U.S. priority application via the PDX program. Including a properly signed ADS form on filing will provide applicant’s authorization for the PDX program. Should applicant wish not to provide authorization for the PDX program, applicant can select the opt-out check box for this authorization on the ADS form. The revised ADS form also contains by default the authorization to permit access to the search results from a U.S. priority application by the European Patent Office (EPO). Like the PDX program, should applicant wish not to provide the EPO access to the search results, applicant can select the opt-out check box for this authorization on the ADS form.

Please note that a revised ADS form submitted after the filing of an application CANNOT be used to provide or revoke any of the authorizations to permit access discussed above. Instead, forms PTO/SB/39 and PTO/SB/69, as applicable, should be used to provide or revoke these authorizations to permit access after the filing of an application.

 

New Feature (27SEPT2015): Based on user feedback, registered patent practitioners granted power of attorney in an application now have a new option when submitting the Issue Fee Transmittal (PTOL/85b) to pay their issue fee.  This new Web 85b feature offers the ability to complete and generate the 85b transmittal form using our Electronic Filing System (EFS-Web). In conjunction with this new filing option the following automated processes have been included:

  • Change of Correspondence Address,
  • Change of Fee Address, and
  • Change in Entity Status

These changes are updated immediately upon successful submission.

The Web 85b feature is available in EFS-Web for Registered eFilers, in the Main Functions menu under “Existing application/patent/proceeding”, “eProcessing”, “Web Based Issue Fee Payment (Web 85b)”.

For more information, see Quick Start Guide for EFS-Web Issue -Fee Transmittal (Web 85b).

For assistance with filing Web 85b or to suggest improvements, please call the Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free) or send an email to EBC@uspto.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

Advisory (03SEPT2015): In response to user feedback, the Web-based ePetition to Make Special based on Age (37 CFR 1.102) is now available for both Registered and Unregistered EFS-Web filers. This feature can be accessed from the Main Functions menu by selecting "Existing application/patent", "ePetition", and "Petition to make special based on age" under the Web-based ePetitions section.  Information for this ePetition is entered into a secure Web interface, so petitioners are not required to download, complete, and attach the SB/130 PDF form. Submitted ePetitions are automatically processed and immediately granted upon submission if all requirements are met.

The PDF-based "ePetition to Make Special based on Age" remains available.

If you have questions about filing this ePetition, please contact the Patent EBC at (866) 217-9197 or send an email to EBC@uspto.gov (link sends e-mail).

 

Advisory (03AUGUST2015): For users who are updating their operating systems to Windows 10, please be aware that Windows 10 comes installed with a new web browser, Microsoft Edge, that does not support plug-ins and will not run Java.  Because Java is required for authentication to EFS-Web and Private PAIR, this impacts your ability to access EFS-Web and Private PAIR via Microsoft Edge.

To access EFS-Web and Private PAIR using Windows 10, Oracle is recommending the use of alternative browsers such as Firefox and Internet Explorer. IE11 will also be available on Windows10.  For additional information regarding Java compatibility and instructions on how to access IE11 on Windows 10, please visit: http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/win10_faq.xml (link is external)

The USPTO is working on a longer term plan to improve the overall authentication process. For USPTO updates regarding this issue please visit either of our Announcements pages:

• EFS – Web Announcements: http://www.uspto.gov/patents-application-process/applying-online/efs-web-announcements
• PAIR Announcements: http://www.uspto.gov/patents-application-process/checking-application-status/pair-announcements

If you need assistance with this matter, or have questions on any eFiling topic, please visit the Patent Electronic Business Center webpage: http://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/support-centers/patent-electronic-business-center for comprehensive contact information, FAQ’s, and other eFiling resources.

 

Advisory (10JUL2015): Due to emergency maintenance required on USPTO systems, access to Patent, Trademark and Finance’s electronic systems will be unavailable beginning 8:00 p.m. Saturday, July 18th and ending at 5 p.m. Sunday July 19th ET.

During this outage period, patent applicants may file new patent applications and documents and fees for national stage entry under 35 U.S.C. 371 via “Priority Mail Express®” from the United States Postal Service (USPS) in accordance with 37 CFR 1.10.

Patent applicants may file other documents or fee payments by:

(1) facsimile transmission to the USPTO Central Facsimile (571) 273-8300,

(2) first class mail with a certificate of mailing in accordance with 37 CFR 1.8, or

(3) "Priority Mail Express®" from the USPS in accordance with 37 CFR 1.10.

Please note that filing of a new application under 37 USC 111(a), except reissue, design or plant applications, via Priority Mail Express® requires payment of the non-electronic filing fee (37 CFR 1.16(t)) in addition to the other required fees.  The non-electronic filing fee is $400 ($200 for small and micro entities).

New patent applications, copies of the international application and basic national fee necessary to enter the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371, and documents that are required to establish the filing date of an application (e.g., a missing drawing figure or page of the specification) cannot be submitted by facsimile transmission, and certificate of mailing procedures under 37 CFR 1.8 do not apply to these documents.  Patent correspondence, including new patent applications and documents or fee payments, cannot be submitted via e-mail.  Please contact the USPTO Inventor’s Assistance Center during business hours (Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM ET) at 1-800-786-9199 if you have any questions regarding alternative filing methods.  Information regarding filing by first class mail with a certificate of mailing or by “Priority Mail Express” can also be found in the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP), Sections 512 and 513, available on the USPTO Web site at http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/index.html.

Applicants are strongly advised to transmit their electronic filings prior to the outage period to ensure that the submissions are correctly completed.

 

Advisory (22JUN2015): In April 2015, Google Chrome removed the default ability to use the Java plug-in for browser version 42. This impacts your ability to access EFS-Web and Private PAIR because Java is required for your authentication into these systems. Currently, Chrome has a temporary workaround that will allow you to use the Java plug-in so that you can continue to log into EFS-Web and Private PAIR: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/6213033 (link is external)

This workaround will only work through September 2015, when Google Chrome plans to end their support for Java plug-ins with their newest browser, Chrome versions 45 and above. Therefore, Chrome users using version 45 and above will no longer be able to use the workaround and thus will not be able to log into EFS-Web or Private PAIR.  Oracle is recommending the use of alternative browsers such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari. For additional information regarding Java and Chrome please visit https://java.com/en/download/faq/chrome.xml (link is external)

Although the above browsers should continue to work with EFS-Web and Private PAIR, there is always a possibility that these providers may decide to discontinue support of Java plug-ins as well.  The USPTO is closely monitoring for any changes, and is committed to keep the IP Community informed accordingly.

Furthermore, the USPTO is investigating if there are possible strategies to mitigate the impact. The Agency is working on a longer term plan to  improve the overall authentication process. For USPTO updates regarding this issue please visit either of our Announcements pages:

 If you need assistance with this matter, or have questions on any eFiling topic, please visit the Patent Electronic Business Center webpage for comprehensive contact information, FAQ’s, and other eFiling resources.

Advisory (06MAY2015): Effective May 13, 2015, U.S. applicants will be able to use EFS-Web to file international design applications through the USPTO as an office of indirect filing. Learn more at the EFS-Web Announcements Page and the Hague Agreement resource page.

Registered efilers will also be able to use EFS-Web to file submissions in international design applications designating the United States that are in the U.S. examination phase.

Advisory (15APR2015): The USPTO is preparing to launch Financial Manager, a new and easy-to-use online fee payment management system. You will be able to store and manage payment methods online, generate and download transaction reports, receive administrative notifications, and assign user permissions.

Later this year, customers will be able to pay fees from EFS-Web using a stored payment method. The existing EFS-Web payment process will continue to be available in the short-term to allow customers to transition to Financial Manager, but will eventually be phased out.

Visit this page to learn more about Financial Manager today!