Legal Framework for Patent Electronic System

Summary: This legal framework provides guidance on the background statutes, regulations and policies that support the USPTO’s Patent Electronic System. The Patent Electronic System currently comprises EFS-Web, which is the USPTO’s web-based patent application and document submission system; and the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system, which is the USPTO’s web-based means for electronically viewing the status of, and documents filed in or associated with, patent applications and proceedings, and Patent Center, which will replace both EFS-Web and PAIR. This legal framework also discusses the two-step authentication method now in place for accessing the Patent Electronic System. This legal framework is provided as a reference for applicants, parties in reexamination proceedings, attorneys, and agents.

 

Current Version:

Legal Framework for Patent Electronic System (October 23, 2019)