USPTO News: USPTO e-Commerce Update

    By Christopher P. Singer --

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office sent out an e-Commerce e-Alert on December 2, 2008 that included information regarding its recent announcements about the Priority Document Exchange (PDX) Program with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO); preventing Digital Certificates from expiring; and using the EFS-Web with Adobe 9.0

PDX with Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO)

On October 14, 2008, the USPTO announced that KIPO was added as a participant in the Priority Document Exchange (PDX) program, which allows for the exchange of priority documents electronically at no cost to the applicant.  Patent Docs previously reported on the Office's initial announcement.  In its e-Commerce e-Alert, the Office reminds applicants interested in participating in this program that the proper forms (PTO/SB/01 or PTO/SB/39) that permit release of priority documents can be found on the Office's website.  More information about the program can be found here, and specific questions regarding the PDX program can be sent by e-mail to PDX@uspto.gov.

Digital Certificate Maintainence

As previously reported by Patent Docs, digital certificates can expire if registered practitioners fail to maintain them.  As the Office reminds practitioners, steps can be taken to prevent digital certificates from expiring, including:

1.  Within 120 days of receipt, applicants must use the authorization code and reference number received from the Electronic Business Center (EBC) to create and download a digital certificate.  After 120 days, the authorization code and reference number will expire and require replacement.

2.  Immediately after downloading a digital certificate, applicants should go to https://sas.uspto.gov/ptosas/ to create digital certificate self-recovery codes.  These codes, which allow applicants to immediately recover a certificate should any problem occur, should be saved in a secure location.  Applicants are reminded that without self-recovery codes, certificates can only be recovered with the help EBC, and that the process will take several business days.

3.  Active digital certificates are automatically renewed for indefinite access.  This renewal occurs automatically while you are using your certificate.  Therefore, it is important to use your certificate regularly, at least every 90 days.

4.  If you have copied your digital certificate on multiple computers, be sure to document the locations of each copy.  After automatic renewal, only the copy in use at that time of renewal will be valid; all other copies must be updated separately.  If you experience problems with your certificate, try the following steps before contacting the EBC:  review the modification dates of all certificate copies; determine the most current copy; and then simply replace all outdated copies with the most recent certificate.

Adobe 9.0 and EFS-Web

Practitioners who submit filings via the EFS-Web can use the latest version of Adobe® Reader®, version 9.0, to complete EFS-Web fillable PDF forms.  Using the fillable PDF forms provides auto-loading of data directly into USPTO databases.  Certain forms for "e-Petitions" including the SB66 Petition to Accept Unintentionally Delayed Payment of Maintenance Fee in an Expired Patent (37 CFR 1.378(c)) and SB130 Petition to Make Special based on Age provide real-time automatic processing.  These forms are still compatible with previous versions of Adobe® Reader® including versions 7.0.8, 7.0.9, 8.1.1, and 8.1.2.

Additional Reminder

The biotechnology, chemical, and pharmaceuticals (BCP) technology groups at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office are holding their quarterly customer partnership meeting on Wednesday, December 3rd.  The agenda can be viewed here, and can be viewed over the web at https://uspto.connectsolutions.com/bcp120308/.