280 likes | 647 Views
William StryjewskiProgram Manager, EFS-WebUSPTO. 2. About EFS-Web. USPTO's new web-based patent application and document submission solution. 3. What EFS-Web Does. Online submission of PDF files of patent applications and documentsOnline payment of patent application and document filing feesVerifies and validates files before submissionProvides a valid acknowledgment receipt that is the equivalent of an Express Mail receiptSpeeds access to data via Private PAIR.
E N D
1. What you need to know about EFS-Web
18. Digital Certificates (1) Digital Certificates are not mandatory to use EFS, but you will want one
An unregistered EFS user (i.e., no active Digital Certificate) can file only new applications
A registered EFS user (i.e., one who has an active Digital Certificate) can file everything that is possible, in EFS, to file
19. Digital Certificates (2) Use your PAIR digital certificate
Never got one? Yours is expired? Go to http://www.uspto.gov/ebc/portal/infocustomernumber.htm
20. Certificate Management (1) Identity of E-filer does not have to be same as identity of document signer
One practitioner can sign the documents to be filed, and a different practitioner can submit them via EFS
A non-practitioner working under the direction of a practitioner can use the practitioner’s digital certificate and password
Legal assistant
Paralegal
Docketing department clerk
21. Certificate Management (2) Storage of Digital Certificates
Certificates are occasionally updated (automatically/silently)
Multiple certificate copies open the door to potential problems
Centralized certificate storage is one way to avoid multiple certificate copies
22. Tips for Success Online (1) Before signing on:
Prepare PDF files ahead of time
Remove spaces / special characters from PDF file names (path names do not matter)
Hyphens or underscores make a nice replacement
23. Tips for Success On-line (2) Select customer from drop-down box
Avoid time-outs
Prepare PDF files before you log on
Remember you can upload files a few at a time
24. Tips for Success On-line (3) Code the Document Pages Correctly
This is possibly the trickiest part: call the EBC when a question arises
How to code the pages of an amendment:
25. Keep in mind: Only Eastern US time applies
Watch out for daylight savings time
You get your serial number and confirmation number instantly when you file a new application, so ...
You can forget about serial number cards
You can paper-file anything you need to file on the same day (e.g., certified copies of foreign priority documents)
29. Process issues (1) EFS can be added to your workflow in a number of different ways
Small, agile firms will be able to integrate EFS quickly
Larger firms will want to be very deliberate
30. Process Issues (2)
31. Sughrue internal accommodations (so far) Digital certificates moved to a network drive reachable by all attorneys / staff
Attorney/assistant team files through EFS
After each EFS filing, the attorney/assistant team e-mails docketing a copy of the EFS acknowledgement receipt, and also describes what was filed
Docketing responds with a new paper cover sheet to attach to the paper file jacket
Deposit account is used for now; filings that charge fees of over $1k are mentioned to accounting by email