Advisory(01Sept17): New DOCX and XML Features Coming Soon
Effective on Sunday, September 10, 2017, EFS-Web Registered and Private PAIR users will have access to new DOCX and XML features. The features include the ability for applicants to file structured text via EFS-Web, access structured text submissions, structured text Office actions, and XML downloads via Private PAIR. These features have been available to participants in the eMod Text Pilot Program since August 2016 and updates were made based on participant feedback.
To implement the new features, EFS-Web, EFS-Web Contingency, and Private and Public PAIR will be unavailable Sunday, 9/10/2017 starting at 12:01 AM ET, and ending by 5:00 AM ET.
During this outage, if you need to file patent applications or submissions, please use an alternative filing method. When systems are available, notification will be posted on the USPTO Systems Status and Availability at http://www.uspto.gov/blog/ebiz/
For additional information, please see the associated Quick Start Guides:
If you have any questions or need assistance filing via EFS-Web or PAIR, please contact the Patent EBC at 1-866-217-9197 or ebc@uspto.gov.
Advisory: Important Information Regarding eTerminal Disclaimer for Applications Filed on/or After September 16, 2012 (21Jul2017)
For applications filed on or after September 16, 2012, only the applicant may disclaim. See 35 U.S.C. 253 and 37 CFR 1.321. In order to use the electronic Terminal Disclaimer (eTD) that is automatically processed in EFS-Web, the named applicant in the application must be the owner of 100% of the entire right, title and interest, or if partial owners, all parties who together make up 100% of the entire right, title and interest. In other words, inventors named as the applicant cannot disclaim unless they are also the owners. Likewise, an assignee who is not named as the applicant cannot disclaim without first becoming the applicant by filing a request to change the applicant under 37 CFR 1.46(c). NOTE: The system does not verify the assignee/applicant information, it relies on submitter’s certification.
The electronic Terminal Disclaimer (eTD) can only be used if:
- the inventor(s) named as the applicant in the application own(s) 100% of the entire right, title and interest;
- the assignee and/or obligated assignee named as the applicant in the application owns 100% of the entire right, title and interest; or
- some combination of inventor(s) and partial assignee(s) named as the applicant in the application together own 100% of the entire right, title and interest.
Advisory (4/3/2017): EFS-Web Issue Resolved -- Wrong General Deposit Account Number Displayed on Electronic Acknowledgement Receipts
If you received an Electronic Acknowledgement Receipt with an incorrect general deposit account number for fee pre-authorizations(s), a corrected receipt is now available in the application’s Image File Wrapper (IFW) andviewable in Private PAIR with the document description “EFS Acknowledgment Receipt (Corrected)” (doc code: N417.CORR).
EFS-Web submissions were impacted if they met ALL of the following criteria:
The EFS-Web submission was submitted between June 2, 2016 – September 17, 2016;
A general deposit account was applied to authorize the Office to charge any missing fees;
Payment was processed using the new payment system, Financial Manager; and
Payment method for online processing was different than the general deposit account number, i.e., (1) you paid with credit/debit card or EFT and applied a general deposit account; or
(2) you paid with a deposit account and used a different deposit account for pre-authorization.
If you received an adverse action as a result of this error, please contact the business unit that sent the action. If you have questions, please contact the EBC (Patent Electronic Business Center) at 1-866-217-9197, Monday through Friday from 6AM - Midnight ET, or email ebc@uspto.gov.
New Interim Authentication Method for EFS-Web and PAIR Access via Firefox
Firefox released Firefox 52 on March 7, 2017. This iteration dropped support for NPAPI (including the Java plug-in), which impacts your ability to access EFS-Web and Private PAIR because Java is required for authentication into these systems. Additional information regarding Java and Firefox.
New Interim Authentication Method to Use Firefox
To continue using Firefox to access EFS-Web and Private PAIR, please use the new interim authentication method Java Web Start, which requires the latest Java 8 version.
Upon entering EFS-Web or Private PAIR in your web browser, select the “Authenticate with Java Web Start (new method)” link, which will launch a new window. Input your .epf file, password, select the checkbox next to “I understand…”, and click the Authenticate button. If successful, the Authenticate Java Web Start window will close and allow you to access EFS-Web or Private PAIR in your browser.
For additional information and instructions on using the Interim Authentication method, please visit EFS-Web and PAIR System Requirements, under the Java Web Start section.
The USPTO is working on a longer term, permanent authentication method, to improve the overall authentication process. If you have questions, please contact the Patent EBC at (866) 217-9197 or send an email to EBC@uspto.gov.
New Interim DCM Tool Now Available (07MAR2017)
The new interim solution, which has been available for EFS-Web and Private PAIR authentication since October 2016, is now available for Digital Certificate Manager (DCM) as well. This interim solution provides a new, plug-in-free option for users to authenticate and manage their PKI certificates, and will expand browser options until a new, permanent solution is in place. While you can continue to use the existing method (Java Applet), the new authentication method will be available for use.
If You Want to Use the New DCM Method - Java Web Start
This interim solution uses Java Web Start technology, allowing users to authenticate into EFS-Web, Private PAIR, and DCM utilizing their current digital certificate. The new option provides users more flexibility in browser choice as it reduces the dependency on the Java Applet plug-in.
To use the Java Web Start option, you must have version 8 of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) software installed.
Upon entering DCM in your web browser, select the “Digital Certificate Management with Java Web Start (new method)” link, which will launch a new window that shows multiple options for DCM functions. Depending on which function you select, the additional information required will vary. Some functions, such as “Register for Recovery Codes” will require you to input your .epf file, password, select the checkbox next to “I understand…”, and click the Authenticate button.
Additional information and instructions on using the Interim Authentication and DCM method, please visit EFS-Web and PAIR System Requirements, under the Java Web Start section.
If you have questions, please contact the Patent EBC at 1-866-217-9197 or ebc@uspto.gov.
USPTO Systems Maintenance on February 28 (21FEB2017)
Due to maintenance, EFS-Web (Registered), Private PAIR, and Digital Certificate Manager will be unavailable Tuesday, 2/28/2017 starting at 12:01 a.m. ET, and ending by 5:00 AM 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 the maintenance period, applicants may file new applications using EFS-Web for Unregistered eFilers or use an alternative filing method.
If you have questions, please contact the Patent EBC at 1-866-217-9197 or ebc@uspto.gov.
USPTO Systems Maintenance on February 26 (13FEB2017)
Due to maintenance, EFS-Web, EFS-Web Contingency, and Private and Public PAIR will be unavailable Sunday, 2/26/2017 starting at 12:01 AM ET, and ending by 11:59 PM 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 the maintenance period, if you need to file patent applications or submissions, please use an alternative filing method.
If you have questions, please contact the Patent EBC at 1-866-217-9197 or ebc@uspto.gov.
Advisory: Wrong General Deposit Account Number Displayed on Electronic Acknowledgement Receipts (09FEB2017)
Due to an integration issue with the new payment system, Financial Manager, electronic Acknowledgement Receipts for EFS-Web submissions between June 2, 2016 – September 17, 2016, may display the wrong general deposit account number for fee pre-authorization(s).
To address this issue, the USPTO is generating corrected Acknowledgement Receipts that display updated general deposit account information to replace the previously generated Acknowledgement Receipts that have the wrong deposit account number in the respective application’s Image File Wrapper (IFW). By March 2017, the corrected receipts will be visible in Private PAIR with the document description of “EFS Acknowledgment Receipt (Corrected)” (doc code: N417.CORR), therefore it is not necessary for applicants to request a corrected Acknowledgement Receipt.
EFS-Web submissions are impacted if they meet ALL of the following criteria:
The EFS-Web submission was submitted between June 2, 2016 – September 17, 2016;
A general deposit account was applied to authorize the Office to charge any missing fees;
Payment was processed using the new payment system, Financial Manager; and
Payment method for online processing was different than the general deposit account number, i.e., (1) you paid with credit/debit card or EFT and applied a general deposit account; or (2) you paid with a deposit account and used a different deposit account for pre-authorization.
If you received an adverse action as a result of this error, please contact the business unit that sent the action. If you have questions, please contact the EBC (Patent Electronic Business Center) at 1-866-217-9197, Monday through Friday from 6AM - Midnight ET, or email ebc@uspto.gov.
eTerminal Disclaimer Quick Start Guide Update (23JAN2017)
For additional clarity the EFS-Web Quick Start Guide for eTerminal Disclaimers has been updated with the following language:
In accordance with MPEP 1490 V and 37 CFR 1.321, Terminal Disclaimers (including eTerminal Disclaimers) will only be considered in compliance with the requirements when filed into a PENDING Nonprovisional Utility application (including national stage and reissue) or PENDING Design application (including reissue). If an eTerminal Disclaimer is filed after payment of the issue fee but before the patent grant date, a request for Certificate of Correction must be filed requesting that the face of the patent be amended to state --This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
If you require assistance filing an eTerminal Disclaimer via EFS-Web please contact the Electronic Business Center at 1-866-217-9197 Monday through Friday, from 6AM-Midnight ET.