USPTO - EFS Authentication Update

The USPTO has taken steps to expand browser choices for the electronic filing system (EFS) beyond Microsoft Internet Explorer notifying:

"As a reminder, EFS-Web and Private PAIR users should have the latest Java 8 version, which is needed for the current authentication Java Applet.

On Oct. 24, a new interim authentication method using Java Web Start will be available to provide access to EFS-Web and Private PAIR. You must have Java 8 to use the new Java Web Start authentication method. The interim authentication solution provides a new, plug-in-free option for users to authenticate, and will expand browser options until a new permanent solution is in place.

While you can continue to authenticate using the existing method (Java Applet), you will be given an option to utilize the new method. This interim solution uses Java Web Start technology, allowing users to authenticate into EFS-Web and Private PAIR utilizing their current digital certificate. The new option will provide users more flexibility in browser choice as it reduces the dependency on the Java Applet plug-in. Digital Certificate Management (DCM) tools will also be supported on Java Web Start in a subsequent release."

The USPTO notes if "you have questions, please contact the Patent EBC at (866) 217-9197 or send an email to EBC@uspto.gov. To provide feedback, please email us at eMod@uspto.gov, or you can visit our eCommerce Modernization web page."

Copyright © 2016 Robert Moll. All rights reserved.

USPTO - New Certificate of Mailing or Transmission Form under 37 CFR 1.8

Today, the USPTO announced it has posted a new Certificate of Mailing or Transmission under 37 CFR 1.8 (PTO/SB/92) for mail, fax or EFS-Web. The old Certificate of Transmission under 37 CFR 1.8 (PTO/SB/97) form is no longer needed and is deleted on the USPTO form page.

For assistance the USPTO recommends contacting the Patent Electronic Business Center 6:00 am - noon ET, Monday - Friday: 1-866-217-9197 or ebc@uspto.gov or patentpractice@uspto.gov.

Copyright © 2016 Robert Moll. All rights reserved.

USPTO - Corrected Web-ADS and Enhanced Initial Web-ADS

Today, USPTO notified of a better way to correct an application data sheet (ADS). The old ADS form in PDF was difficult to read, but the worse feature was it did not permit underlining the data to show changes forcing applicants to get out a pen and underline the added language.

Here is the USPTO notice:

"In December 2015, the USPTO implemented the Corrected Web-ADS and Enhanced Initial Web-ADS in EFS-Web in response to customer feedback. Since then, EFS-Web has received over 8,000 ADS submissions using the Enhanced Web-ADS and over 5,000 Corrected ADS submissions using the Corrected/Updated Web-ADS.

For information about these features, please see the Quick Start Guides linked below. (1) Corrected Web-based Application Data Sheet (Corrected Web ADS) -- Registered eFilers may use this option to provide a Corrected/Updated ADS per 37 CFR 1.76(c)(2), where changes will be identified with underlining for insertions and strike-through for deletions. EFS-Web will generate and attach the Corrected ADS PDF, which will be reviewed and processed by the Office of Patent Application Processing (OPAP). See the EFS-Web Corrected Application Data Sheet Quick Start Guide. (2) Enhanced Initial Web-based Application Data Sheet (Web ADS)-- EFS-Web eFilers have the option to import Inventor information, Domestic Benefit/National Stage data, and/or Foreign Priority data from a parent application(s) when completing their Web ADS submission.

Data may be retrieved for eFilers who either have power of attorney in the parent application or if the parent application is made available to the public, i.e., published or patented.  See the EFS-Web Web-based Application Data Sheet Quick Start Guide.

If you have any questions or suggestions for improvement, please contact the Electronic Business Center at 1-866-217-9197 or at ebc@uspto.gov."

Copyright © 2016 Robert Moll. All rights reserved.

USPTO - Windows 10/Microsoft Edge: Compatibility Issue for EFS-Web and Private PAIR Authentication

Today, the USPTO announced "For users who are updating their operating systems to Windows 10, please be aware that Windows 10 comes installed with a new web browser, Microsoft Edge, that does not support plug-ins and will not run Java. Because Java is required for authentication to EFS-Web and Private PAIR, this impacts your ability to access EFS-Web and Private PAIR via Microsoft Edge.

To access EFS-Web and Private PAIR using Windows 10, Oracle is recommending the use of alternative browsers such as Firefox and Internet Explorer. IE11 will also be available on Windows 10. For additional information regarding Java compatibility and instructions on how to access IE11 on Windows 10, please visit: http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/win10_faq.xml

The USPTO is working on a longer term plan to improve the overall authentication process. For USPTO updates regarding this issue please visit either of our Announcements pages:

• EFS – Web Announcements: http://www.uspto.gov/patents-application-process/applying-online/efs-web-announcements

• PAIR Announcements: http://www.uspto.gov/patents-application-process/checking-application-status/pair-announcements

If you need assistance with this matter, or have questions on any eFiling topic, please visit the Patent Electronic Business Center webpage: http://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/support-centers/patent-electronic-business-center for comprehensive contact information, FAQ’s, and other eFiling resources."

Copyright © 2015 Robert Moll. All rights reserved.

USPTO - Electronic Filing System (EFS-Web) FAQs - Each PDF File Limited to 25 MB

The EFS-Web has made life slightly easier, but it strikes me as quirky. Let me give a few examples. Recently, I received larger files (e.g., over 30 MB) to submit in an information disclosure statement. Even if my email server didn't return them as undeliverable it made me consider if they could be uploaded to the USPTO. Google search pulled up the USPTO EFS-Web FAQs web page that says each PDF copy must not exceed 25 MB. I can't think of too many web sites that would tolerate the hours of downtime each weekend to perform maintenance. I don't want to be sound like a curmudgeon, but even the lingo is a bit confusing. As stated in the FAQs a person cannot file in EFS-Web Contingency during scheduled EFS-Web outages" because "EFS-Web and EFS-Web Contingency share a common backend system." Wait why is it called contingency? Oh yeah weekend maintenance trumps contingency. Don't make me think!

Copyright © 2015 Robert Moll. All rights reserved.

USPTO - Google Chrome No Longer Able to Access EFS-Web and Private PAIR After September 2015

On June 22, the USPTO announced "Google Chrome removed the default ability to use the Java plug-in for browser version 42. This impacts your ability to access EFS-Web and Private PAIR because Java is required for your authentication into these systems. Currently, Chrome has a temporary workaround that will allow you to use the Java plug-in so that you can continue to log into EFS-Web and Private PAIR: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/6213033(link is external).

This workaround will only work through September 2015, when Google Chrome plans to end their support for Java plug-ins with their newest browser, Chrome versions 45 and above. Therefore, Chrome users using version 45 and above will no longer be able to use the workaround and thus will not be able to log into EFS-Web or Private PAIR.  Oracle is recommending the use of alternative browsers such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari. For additional information regarding Java and Chrome please visit https://java.com/en/download/faq/chrome.xml(link is external)."

Let's see if Google develops a permanent solution for Chrome users that require these USPTO services.

Also the USPTO announced PAIR is unavailable 4:30 to 5:30 AM Eastern daily, i.e., no problem.

Copyright © 2015 Robert Moll. All rights reserved.

EFS Web Unavailable All Day?

Today, I was planning to file papers using the USPTO Electronic Filing System (EFS) Web and seeking to show EFS Web is the "efficient way to file." The computer hanging kind of blew that presentation. We tried to upload the papers twice more that morning. Finally, late in the afternoon, the USPTO published that EFS web was unavailable for follow on submissions. I think the non-availability should have been posted earlier. In any event, I have learned to file well in advance of due date so it was not a big deal.

To this some might say "Bob if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all!" Okay, but sometimes you have to say something to make things better. And this is my attempt to make things better. However, until the USPTO gets higher availability, I think most would agree with me that filing on the last day is not the safest strategy with EFS Web.

Copyright © 2014 Robert Moll. All rights reserved.

USPTO - Java 8 May Cause EFS-Web and Private PAIR Authentication Issues

The USPTO has alerted the community that Oracle's first version of Java 8 may cause authentication issues for users of Private PAIR and EFS-Web.  If Java 8 is an issue, the USPTO says revert to Java 7 update 51.

Here's the USPTO notice that arrived late last night:

"Oracle has announced that the first version of Java 8 will be released on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. This version will not be an automatic update, however if you install Java 8 and encounter authentication issues, you will need to revert to Java 7 Update 51.

USPTO technical teams are coordinating closely with Oracle and Entrust for a solution.

Contact the Patent EBC at 1-866-217-9197 (toll-free) or ebc@uspto.gov if you need further assistance."

Copyright © 2014 Robert Moll. All rights reserved.

USPTO - EFS and Private PAIR - Updated Jan. 20, 2014

I regularly file papers with the electronic filing system (EFS) and review the status of non-published application on Private PAIR (patent application information retrieval). It is a cumbersome process but recently it got worse for some of us.

The USPTO notified some, it turns out me too, cannot authenticate themselves to the system beginning on or about January 15. If you cannot authenticate, the USPTO suggested to upgrade to Java 7 update 51. I also had to restart the computer after the update to resolve the authentication issue.

The USPO recommends if the authentication issue continues, contact the Patent Electronic Business Center from 6:00 am to 12:00 midnight (ET) Monday through Friday: 1-866-217-9197 or ebc@uspto.gov.

Now to authenticate on private PAIR or EFS you take the following steps:

1.  Click on digital certificate field or browse button, then an Entrust Publisher's dialog box appears "Do you want to run this application?" Click on the Run button and check the box you don't want to see this dialog again.

This displays the private PAIR login with the digital certificate file path and an empty password field.

2.  Check the box that "I understand that the technology in patent application may be subject to U.S. dual-use export controls (Without step 2, you may not be able to insert the digital certificate).

3.  Browse on your computer to the digital certificate and double click on it to insert the certificate into login field.

4.  Type your password.

5.  Click on the authenticate button.

Copyright © 2014 Robert Moll. All rights reserved.