Advisory (09DEC2010): On Dec. 8, 2010, USPTO announced the Pilot Program for Extended Time Period To Reply to a Notice To File Missing Parts of Nonprovisional Application. Applicants may request participation in this program by filing the certification and request form (SB/421) via EFS-Web using document description "Certification and Request for Missing Parts Pilot".
>>For more information, please see the FR Notice.
Advisory (09DEC2010): EFS-Web filers may use Adobe Reader and Acrobat 8.2.5, 9.4, and 9.4.1 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
* 9.0, 9.1, 9.1.1, 9.1.2, 9.2, 9.3, 9.3.1, 9.3.2, 9.3.3, and 9.3.4
Advisory (10NOV2010): Effective immediately, applicants may request participation in the Peer Review Pilot FY2011 by filing the certification and request form (SB/422) via EFS-Web using document description "Request for Peer Review Pilot".
Advisory (10NOV2010): In response to applicant feedback, USPTO has updated the description for fee code 1814/2814 in EFS-Web to "Statutory or terminal disclaimer". Filers are reminded to use the document description "Terminal Disclaimer Filed" when attaching their terminal disclaimer form in EFS-Web.
Advisory (18OCT2010): New versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat (ver. 9.4 and 8.2.5) were released on October 5. These versions are currently not supported in EFS-Web Fillable Forms (e.g., ADS, IDS). An announcement will be posted about support for 9.4 and 8.2.5 once compatibility testing has been completed.
The following Acrobat and Reader versions are currently supported:
* 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
* 9.0, 9.1, 9.1.1, 9.1.2, 9.2, 9.3, 9.3.1, 9.3.2, 9.3.3, and 9.3.4
If you need to download a supported version of Adobe Reader, please visit: http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/
Advisory (30AUG2010): EFS-Web filers may use Adobe Reader and Acrobat 8.2.4 and 9.3.4 to complete EFS-Web Fillable Forms (eADS, eIDS, etc.). Previous versions remain compatible:
The following Acrobat and Reader versions are currently supported:
* 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
* 9.0, 9.1, 9.1.1, 9.1.2, 9.2, 9.3, 9.3.1, 9.3.2, and 9.3.3
Advisory (26JUL2010): EFS-Web filers may use Adobe Reader and Acrobat 8.2.3 and 9.3.3 to complete EFS-Web Fillable Forms (eADS, eIDS, etc.). Previous versions remain compatible:
The following Acrobat and Reader versions are currently supported:
* 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
* 9.0, 9.1, 9.1.1, 9.1.2, 9.2, 9.3, 9.3.1 and 9.3.2.
If you need to download a supported version of Adobe Reader, please visit: http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/
Advisory (28JUN2010): Additional details and clarifications regarding the petition for extension of time are provided below. The EFS-Web FAQ on this topic will be updated in due course.
When paying the extension of time fee via EFS-Web, do I need to attach the petition for extension of time?
The submission of the extension of time fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(a) will be treated as a constructive petition for an extension of time in any concurrent reply requiring a petition for an extension of time under 37 CFR 1.136(a) for its timely submission. Therefore, a petition for extension of time is not required in this situation.
Also, when applicant is filing a continuing application, a petition for an extension of time is not required, but the extension of time fee must be submitted in the parent application rather than in the continuing application. The filing of a continuing application within the extended time period is considered a concurrent reply for the purposes of 37 CFR 1.136(a) for this situation. Thus, a submission of the extension of time fee via EFS-Web in the parent application will be accepted as a constructive petition for an extension of time if a continuing application is filed within the extended period.
The Office, however, strongly recommends including a petition to avoid potential delays in processing. See MPEP 710.02(e). Please note that if applicant is not filing a concurrent reply with the extension of time fee (nor filing a continuing application), a petition for an extension of time under 37 CFR 1.136(a) is required when submitting the extension of time fee.
Advisory (19May2010): In response to user feedback, USPTO has established a contingency option for applicants to e-file new applications when EFS-Web is unavailable due to an unscheduled system outage.
Warning: EFS-Web Contingency does not permit follow-on documents and follow-on fee payments filed after the initial submission of the application or reexamination request. When an applicant improperly files a follow-on document as a new application via EFS-Web Contingency (or EFS-Web) and requests the USPTO to move the follow-on document to the appropriate application, a petition under 37 CRF 1.182 accompanied by the petition fee will be required.
To learn more about EFS-Web Contingency, please see:
>>EFS-Web Contingency Information Web page
Advisory (03May2010): EFS-Web filers may use Adobe Reader and Acrobat 8.2.2 and 9.3.2 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;
* 9.0, 9.1, 9.1.1, 9.1.2, 9.2, 9.3, and 9.3.1.
Advisory (23MAR2010): A new document description has been added to EFS-Web for filing a request to use the computer readable form (CRF) of another application under 37 C.F.R. 1.821(e). Please use the document description "Request for Transfer of a Computer Readable Form" when filing such a request where the document contains content pertaining solely to the request. This document description should not be used for a document that includes the request along with content unrelated to the request, such as in a "Transmittal of New Application" document. Applicants are encouraged to use new form PTO/SB/93 - "Request for Transfer of a Computer Readable Form Under 37 CFR 1.821(e)" - to file such a request. Form PTO/SB/93 is a fillable PDF form that is available at http://www.uspto.gov/patents/ apply/forms. Reminder - a proper request to use the computer readable form (CRF) of another application also requires filing of a "Sequence Listing" under 37 C.F.R. 1.821(c), which if filed in EFS-Web with the request should be as a PDF file. See section I1. of the "Legal Framework for EFS-Web" for more information (http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/New_legal_framework.jsp).
Advisory (3MAR2010): Please note that initial submissions for patent term extension under 35 U.S.C 156 are not permitted to be filed via EFS-Web. Accordingly, the document description "Patent Term Extension Application Under 35 USC 156" has been removed from EFS-Web. Registered eFilers may file second or subsequent submissions for patent term extension under 35 U.S.C 156 via EFS-Web using the document description "PTE Interim Patent Extension filed".
Advisory (22FEB10): EFS-Web filers may use Adobe Reader and Acrobat 8.2.1 and 9.3.1 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;
* 9.0, 9.1, 9.1.1, 9.1.2, 9.2, and 9.3.
Adobe software updates can be downloaded from the Adobe Web site at http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions.
Advisory (10FEB10): EFS-Web filers may use Adobe Reader and Acrobat 8.2 and 9.3 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;
* 9.0, 9.1, 9.1.1, 9.1.2, and 9.2.
Adobe software updates can be downloaded from the Adobe Web site at http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions.
Advisory (03FEB2010): Effective immediately, applicants may request participation in the PCT-PPH pilot program by filing the appropriate form SB/20PCT-EP or SB/20PCT-JP via EFS-Web. Index with document description: "Petition to make Special under PCT-Patent Pros Hwy"
For more information, see notices and forms below:
>> Notice: Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program between the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the European Patent Office based on Patent Cooperation Treaty Work Products (signed 23 January 2010) [PDF]
>> Notice: Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program between the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Japan Patent Office based on Patent Cooperation Treaty Work Products (signed 23 January 2010) [PDF]
>> Forms: PTO/SB/20PCT-EP (for PCT-PPH Pilot Program between EPO and USPTO) and
PTO/SB/20PCT-JP (for PCT-PPH Pilot Program between JPO and USPTO)
>> Additional Information about PPH Programs
Advisory (03FEB2010): Effective immediately, patentees may request a recalculation of their patent term adjustment (PTA) in view of Wyeth under the interim procedures.
Please use Form SB/131 and index using EFS-Web Document Description: Request for Recalculation in view of Wyeth.
>> Form SB/131
http://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/forms
>> USPTO Press Release
http://www.uspto.gov/news/pr/2010/10_06.jsp
>> 75 Fed. Reg. 5043
http://www.uspto.gov/patents/law/notices/75fr5043.pdf
Advisory (26JAN2010): EFS-Web will be unavailable from midnight until 8 a.m. (Eastern Time) , Sunday, Jan. 31, for the release of EFS-Web 1.4.4. This new release contains the following improvements:
- A new EFS-Web Fillable e-IDS Form (PTO/SB/08A)(version 2.1.17) will allow up to 300 combined citations of U.S. patents and U.S. patent application publications. Attaching an older version of the e-IDS form (version 2.1.16 or earlier) will result in a validation error. See advisory posted on Jan. 20, 2010 for more information.
- All e-IDS forms included in an EFS-Web submission will be automatically loaded to USPTO internal systems within one day.
- Patent Issue Fees will be payable via EFS-Web for applications in status 164 (ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE) and 167 (ABANDONMENT FOR FAILURE TO CORRECT DRAWINGS/OATH/NONPUB REQUEST).
- Corrected the problem with EFS-Web displaying the incorrect application type, document descriptions, and fees when a user entered a follow-on application number is preceded by tabs/spaces.
Advisory (20JAN2010): Effective January 31, 2010, please use the new version of the EFS-Web Fillable e-IDS Form (PTO/SB/08A) (version 2.1.17) when filing your Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) in EFS-Web. The EFS-Web Fillable e-IDS Form permits references to be automatically loaded to USPTO internal systems. Using the new EFS-Web Fillable e-IDS Form, up to 300 combined citations of U.S. patents and U.S. patent application publications may be entered in one IDS form. Starting on January 31, 2010, submitting an older version of the EFS-Web Fillable e-IDS Form (version 2.1.16 or earlier) via EFS-Web will result in a validation error message. The EFS-Web Fillable Form version number can be found on the bottom left corner of the form.
>> EFS-Web Fillable Forms are available at:
http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/Form_fillable_pdfs_available.jsp
>> MPEP 609.07 will be updated in due course.
Advisory (13JAN2010): To participate in the Green Tech pilot program, the petition (PTO/SB/420) must be filed electronically via EFS-Web as a follow-on document rather than a new application, and applicant must be a registered EFS-Web user who has a PKI certificate. For additional information, see http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/green_tech.jsp#heading-3