PAIR Announcements

All customers are encouraged to register so they are ready to use the full features of Private PAIR and EFS-Web.

For questions/comments or further assistance on any announcement, please send an e-mail to ebc@uspto.gov or call the Patent Electronic Business Center at 1- 866-217-9197 (toll-free) or 571-272-4100 from 6 a.m. to 12 Midnight Eastern Time, Monday - Friday.

PAIR Availability: 23 hours x 7 days per week (unavailable 04:30 AM to 05:30 AM ET daily)

Advisory (09DEC2020): PAIR Infrastructure Update

Effective Wednesday, December 9 at 2pm ET, Private PAIR has reversed the recent changes from the infrastructure update to the previous version of PAIR. There is currently no timeframe on when the latest changes will be deployed.

If you have questions about the changes to PAIR, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC) at ebc@uspto.gov or 866-217-9197.

Updated Advisory(09DEC2020): PAIR Infrastructure Update  (Last Updated: 9DEC2020 8AM ET)

Effective Friday, December 4, 2020, USPTO technical teams have made updates to the infrastructure to Private PAIR. Users will experience the following benefits and changes:

• Improved user experience
• Java Applet no longer required to download Patent References
• Enhanced visual indicator during page loading

One major difference is how bulk Attorney Docket number updates are processed. When a change is made in the bulk update, the system may take up to 15 minutes to reflect the new attorney docket number in the bulk update search. However, if users search the application number, the new attorney docket number is immediately available.

The list of identified defects that will be addressed in future releases.  Users can access Patent Center to access the same data or perform the same function.

• New correspondence from the Office may not be available in the IFW tab. 
  • New correspondence can be access using the Outgoing Correspondence/e-Office Action searches or in Patent Center.
• Filing and Issue date may be displayed on the Application Data and Continuity tabs offset by one day from the actual date. 
  • The official date is not affected, only the PAIR display is offset.
• Users may not be able to update the Customer Number using Customer Number Details
  • Customer number updates can be updated in Patent Center by selecting Manage/Manage customer numbers
• Supplemental Content tab is not displayed
• Incorrect link to EFS-Web from the Patents link 
• Application Unavailable message displayed when searched using 99/999999 format
• Some users have experienced issues downloading documents from the IFW tab
• When selecting the Examiner's name, the displayed phone is incorrect
• When printing the Assignment tab when data is available, the print page displays "Assignments data does not exist"
• The label for U.S. Patent Documents, under the Display References tab, always indicates “2 Form(s) Found” where there can be one or many documents displayed
• Downloading XML of Application in Status Changes search is missing data elements
• If a new saved customer number request is opened from the View saved and completed requests, the request will be blank if the imported registration number list was modified

If you have questions about the changes to PAIR or to report any problems not listed, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC) at ebc@uspto.gov or 866-217-9197.

Advisory (16APRIL2020): Forms processing announcement

We encourage customers to use the online resources available in Private PAIR for creating new Customer Numbers, updating existing Customer Numbers, uploading Customer Number spreadsheets and updating PCT applications with a Customer Number.

These online features are found within the PAIR Administration menu in Private PAIR.

• Create New Customer Number
• View Customer Number Details
• Update Application Address
  • Change the correspondence and/or maintenance fee address of up to 20 applications simultaneously
  • Power of attorney is required to update the address
  • Independent Inventors who need to update the correspondence address of an application will need to file Correspondence Address Form AIA/122 or SB/122 via EFS-Web.
  • • Independent Inventors who need to update the maintenance fee address of an application will need to file Fee Address Indication Form AIA/47or SB/47 via EFS-Web or fax to 571-273-6500
• Associate a PCT application in the International phase with a Customer Number for purposes of viewing the PCT application in Private PAIR by downloading and completing the Request to Update a PCT Application with Customer Number PTO-2248 and submit via fax at 571-273-0177

If you have questions, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center at ebc@uspto.gov or 866-217-9197.

Advisory (23MARCH2020): Receiving office communications electronically

The USPTO continues to encourage customers to take advantage of the efficiency and convenience of our online business systems. The USPTO currently offers electronic notification of Office communications, including Office actions to those participating in the e-Office Action program. The USPTO is encouraging registered users of the USPTO’s Patent Electronic Systems who are not currently participating in the e-Office Action program to log into Private PAIR to update their Customer Number details to receive electronic notifications of Office communications (e.g., by selecting the option “Receive Correspondence Notification via e-Mail” on the Edit Customer Details screen).

For more information, please visit the e-Office Action program webpage on the USPTO website.

If you have questions about the e-Office Action program or on how to become a registered user, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC) at ebc@uspto.gov or 866-217-9197.

Advisory (16JUL2019): Verified USPTO.gov account required for EFS-Web and Private PAIR

Practitioners and independent inventors need a verified USPTO.gov account to access EFS-Web for registered eFilers and Private PAIR. Support staff working on behalf of a practitioner needs to be sponsored to obtain access.

New customers, or customers who did not migrate by the migration deadline, can obtain a verified USPTO.gov account using the new verification process. See the Authentication Change webpage for more information.

If you have questions, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC) at ebc@uspto.gov or 866-217-9197.

Advisory (2JUL2019): PKI termination for EFS-Web and Private PAIR

PKI authentication for EFS-Web and Private PAIR is permanently disabled. Check the USPTO systems status and availability page for more information and updates.

Practitioners and independent inventors need a verified USPTO.gov account to access EFS-Web for registered eFilers and Private PAIR. Support staff working on behalf of a practitioner needs to be sponsored to obtain access.

The deadline for migration from a PKI certificate to a USPTO.gov account is July 16. Please ensure that you migrated the proper PKI to the correct USPTO.gov account, or reverse incorrectly migrated accounts prior to July 16. New customers, or customers who do not migrate by the migration deadline, can obtain a verified USPTO.gov account using the new verification process. For more information on migrations and sponsorships, please visit the authentication change webpage for guidance.

If you do not have a verified USPTO.gov account and need to urgently file a new patent application, you can use EFS-Web for unregistered eFilers or EFS-Web contingency. Additionally, if you need to file a follow-on submission and do not have a verified USPTO.gov account, use an alternative filing method.

If you have questions or need to reverse an incorrectly migrated account, contact the Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC) at ebc@uspto.gov or 866-217-9197.

Advisory (3JUN2019): PKI Outage for EFS-Web and Private PAIR

PKI authentication for EFS-Web and Private PAIR will be unavailable starting on Wednesday, June 5 at 12:01 AM ET, until further notice. Please see the USPTO Systems Status and Availability page for more information and updates.

Please use your verified USPTO.gov account to access EFS-Web for Registered eFilers and Private PAIR. 

If you need to file a new patent application and do not have a verified USPTO.gov account, please use EFS-Web for Unregistered eFilers or EFS-Web Contingency. If you need to file a follow-on submission and do not have a verified USPTO.gov account, please use an alternative filing method.

Migration will be available during this outage. Please ensure that you migrated the proper PKI to the correct USPTO.gov account. If you have not migrated or need to sponsor support staff, please visit the Authentication Change website for guidance.

If you have questions or need to reverse an incorrectly migrated account, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC) at ebc@uspto.gov or 866-217-9197.

Advisory (23MAY2019): PKI Outage for EFS-Web and Private PAIR

PKI authentication for EFS-Web and Private PAIR will be unavailable starting 12:01 a.m., Thursday, May 30^th, and ending at 11:59 p.m., Friday, May 31^st ET. Additional outages will be scheduled. Please see the USPTO Systems Status and Availability page for more information.

During the PKI outage period, users will be unable to use PKI certificates to authenticate. This PKI outage does not affect users accessing EFS-Web and Private PAIR with a verified USPTO.gov account. Authentication via verified USPTO.gov accounts to access EFS-Web and Private PAIR will be available. Please ensure that you migrated the proper PKI to the correct USPTO.gov account prior to the outage. If you have not migrated or need to sponsor support staff, please visit the Authentication Change website for guidance.

If you need to file a new application during this outage, please access EFS-Web with your verified USPTO.gov account, use EFS-Web for Unregistered eFilers, or use EFS-Web Contingency.  If you need to file a follow-on submission and do not have a verified USPTO.gov account, please use an alternative filing method.

If you have questions or need to reverse an incorrectly migrated account, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC) at ebc@uspto.gov or 866-217-9197.

Advisory (20MAY2019): PKI Outage for EFS-Web and Private PAIR

The USPTO will have a series of upcoming outages to begin the phased termination of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificates for Electronic Filing System-Web (EFS-Web) and Private Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR). This will not affect users accessing EFS-Web and Private PAIR with a verified USPTO.gov account.

The first PKI outage will be on May 22, starting at 12:01 AM and ending at 11:59 PM (ET). Additional outages will be scheduled. Please see the USPTO Systems Status and Availability page for more information.

During the PKI outage period, users will be unable to use PKI certificates to authenticate and will be unable to access EFS-Web for Unregistered eFilers. However, authentication via verified USPTO.gov accounts to access EFS-Web and Private PAIR will be available. Please ensure that you migrated the proper PKI to the correct USPTO.gov account prior to the outage. If you have not migrated or need to sponsor support staff, please visit the Authentication Change website for guidance.

If you need to file a new application during this outage, please access EFS-Web with your verified USPTO.gov account or use EFS-Web Contingency.  If you need to file a follow-on submission and do not have a verified USPTO.gov account, please use an alternative filing method.

If you have questions or need to reverse an incorrectly migrated account, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC) at ebc@uspto.gov or 866-217-9197.

Advisory (15MAY2019): USPTO System Maintenance

EFS-Web, Private PAIR, and Public PAIR will be unavailable due to maintenance beginning at 11:59 p.m., Friday, May 24^th, and ending at 5:00 p.m., Monday, May 27^th ET.  During the maintenance period, applicants may file new applications, except for National Stage applications under 35 U.S.C. 371, via EFS-Web Contingency.

If you need to file a National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. 371 or a follow-on submission to an existing application during the maintenance period, please use an alternative filing method. For more information about other systems affected by the maintenance outage, please visit USPTO Systems Status and Availability.

If you have questions, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC) at (866) 217-9197 during their operating hours of 6 a.m. to midnight ET, Monday - Friday, or email ebc@uspto.gov.

Advisory (27APR2019): Order Entry Management System (OEMS) Replacement

The USPTO has replaced the Order Entry Management System (OEMS) shopping cart with the Certified Copy Center (CCC) in Public and Private PAIR.  Effective, April 27, 2019, the new Certified Copy Center storefront system will provide customers with an improved user experience that provides many capabilities, including:

• Ability to order published patent and trademark documents, including “patent applications as filed” and “patent file wrappers”
• Ability to submit a request to order unpublished patent documents
• Information for how to download free uncertified copies of patent and trademark documents
• Enhanced order history and order tracking capabilities, including the ability to import your OEMS order history into the Certified Copy Center.

Customers will need to have a USPTO.gov account prior to accessing the CCC Storefront. A USPTO.gov account can be created by visiting https://my.uspto.gov/ then follow the instructions under "Create an Account". If you need assistance creating your USPTO.gov account, please call the USPTO Contact Center (UCC) at 800-786-9199.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the new Certified Copy Center, please email the Patent and Trademark Copy Fulfillment Branch customer service at dsd@uspto.gov or call 1-800-972-6382 (toll free) or 571-272-3150 (local). Our operating hours are Monday–Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, except federal government holidays.

Advisory (14FEB2019): PKI Authentication Update

Important update: The deadlines related to authentication change and migration for EFS-Web and Private PAIR are being extended due to technical issues. We will announce the new deadlines when they are determined. Until then, you can still authenticate using either USPTO.gov accounts or PKI certificate

If you have not done so, please create your USPTO.gov account, ensure it is opted in to two-step authentication, and use the Migration Tool to link your existing PKI certificate to your USPTO.gov account. Registered practitioners should use the Sponsorship Tool to sponsor their support staff to work on their behalf.

Use these new URLs for EFS-Web and Private PAIR when signing in with your USPTO.gov account. You will need to update any bookmarks you may have:

• EFS-Web:  https://efs-my.uspto.gov/EFSWebUIRegistered/EFSWebRegistered

• Private PAIR:  https://ppair-my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair

Advisory (5FEB2019): PKI Sign-In Discontinued as of Feb 15

As of Feb 15, EFS-Web and Private PAIR users will no longer be able to authenticate using PKI certificates. There is now a simpler and safer login method. Go to your USPTO.gov account (or create one) and opt in to two-step authentication. Next, use the Migration Tool (will no longer available as of March 1) to link your existing PKI certificate to your USPTO.gov account. Registered practitioners should use the Sponsorship Tool to sponsor their support staff to work on their behalf.

New users, or users who did not migrate prior to March 1, must obtain a verified USPTO.gov account to access EFS-Web and PAIR using the new verification process, which requires a notarized Patent Electronic System Verification Form. Prior to March 1, you can recover your PKI using your self-recovery codes. Otherwise, use the new verification process.

We invite you to register for an upcoming information session related to the new verification process, along with the other changes to authentication into EFS-Web and Private PAIR.

Use these new URLs for EFS-Web and Private PAIR when signing in with your USPTO.gov account. You will need to update any bookmarks you may have:

• EFS-Web:  https://efs-my.uspto.gov/EFSWebUIRegistered/EFSWebRegistered

• Private PAIR:  https://ppair-my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair

   

  More Information

  For more information, visit Authentication Change for EFS-Web and PAIR or register for an information session.

  Please review the Patent Electronic System Access Document for additional information on authentication, sponsorship, and verification for accessing patent electronic systems.

  If you need assistance creating your USPTO.gov account, please call the USPTO Contact Center (UCC) at usptoinfo@uspto.gov or 800-786-9199. For assistance with migration, sponsorship, or signing into EFS-Web and PAIR, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center at ebc@uspto.gov or 866-217-9197. 

Advisory (22JAN2019): EFS-Web and Private PAIR authentication change: New verification process

Starting Jan 18, new users can obtain a verified USPTO.gov account to access EFS-Web and PAIR using the new verification process. Certificate Action Forms for new PKIs and EBC-assisted PKI recoveries postmarked prior to Jan 28, will be processed. Users will need to migrate new PKIs before March 1. If you have your self-recovery codes and need to recover your PKI, please do so prior to March 1. Otherwise, use the new verification process.

As of Feb 15, EFS-Web and Private PAIR users will no longer be able to authenticate using PKI certificates. There is now a simpler and safer login method. Go to your USPTO.gov account (or create one) and opt in to two-step authentication. Next, use the Migration Tool (no longer available as of March 1) to link your existing PKI certificate to your USPTO.gov account. Registered practitioners should use the Sponsorship Tool to sponsor their support staff to work on their behalf.

Use these new URLs for EFS-Web and Private PAIR when signing in with your USPTO.gov account. You will need to update any bookmarks you may have:

• EFS-Web:  https://efs-my.uspto.gov/EFSWebUIRegistered/EFSWebRegistered

• Private PAIR:  https://ppair-my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair

   

  More Information

  We invite you to register for an upcoming information session related to the new verification process, along with the other changes to authentication into EFS-Web and Private PAIR.

  Please review the Patent Electronic System Access Document for additional information on authentication, sponsorship, and verification for accessing patent electronic systems.

  For more information, visit Authentication Change for EFS-Web and PAIR.

  If you need assistance creating your USPTO.gov account, please call the USPTO Contact Center (UCC) at usptoinfo@uspto.gov or 800-786-9199. For assistance with migration, sponsorship, or signing into EFS-Web and PAIR, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center at ebc@uspto.gov or 866-217-9197. 

Advisory (19DEC2018): EFS-Web and Private PAIR authentication change: PKI termination date  

EFS-Web and Private PAIR users will no longer be able to authenticate using PKI certificates as of February 15, 2019. There is now a new, simpler, and safer login method. The USPTO is moving from using PKI certificates for two-factor authentication because the software will no longer be supported.

Creating an account

If you or your support staff do not already have USPTO.gov accounts, you and each of your staff will need to create one and opt in for two-step authentication. 

Migrating an existing account

If you are a registered practitioner or independent inventor with an existing PKI digital certificate, use the Migration Tool with these step-by-step instructions to link your new USPTO.gov account to your current PKI digital certificates. The Migration Tool will no longer be available as of March 1, 2019.

Sponsoring support staff

Registered practitioners can use the Sponsorship Tool to sponsor their support staff to work on their behalf. Please follow these step-by-step instructions. Once support staff are successfully sponsored, they will be able to sign in using their own USPTO.gov accounts and select the registered practitioner on whose behalf that they are working.

Using your new account

Use these new URLs for EFS-Web and Private PAIR when signing in with your USPTO.gov account. You will need to update any bookmarks you may have:

• EFS-Web:  https://efs-my.uspto.gov/EFSWebUIRegistered/EFSWebRegistered

• Private PAIR:  https://ppair-my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair

More Information

Please review the Patent Electronic System Access Document for additional information on authentication, sponsorship, and verification for accessing patent electronic systems.

We invite you to register for multiple information sessions related to this authentication change, because new information will be added as it becomes available. 

For more information, visit Authentication Change for EFS-Web and PAIR.

If you need assistance creating your USPTO.gov account, please call the USPTO Contact Center (UCC) at 800-786-9199. For assistance with migration, sponsorship, or signing into EFS-Web and PAIR, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center at ebc@uspto.gov or 866-217-9197.

Advisory (01NOV2018): EFS-Web and Private PAIR authentication change: Sponsorship tool now available

All EFS-Web and Private PAIR users now have a new, safer, and simpler login. The USPTO is moving from using PKI certificates for two-factor authentication because the software will no longer be supported.

The Sponsorship Tool is now available for existing registered practitioners to sponsor their support staff to work on their behalf. Please follow the step-by-step instructions to sponsor support staff. Once support staff are successfully sponsored, they will be able to sign in using their own USPTO.gov account and select the registered practitioner that they are working on behalf of. Please review the Patent Electronic System Access Document for additional information on authentication, sponsorship, and verification for accessing patent electronic systems.

Creating an account

If you or your support staff do not already have USPTO.gov accounts, each of your will need to create one and opt-in for two-step authentication. 

Migrating an existing account

If you are a registered practitioner or independent inventor with an existing PKI digital certificate, use our migration tool with these step-by-step instructions to link your new USPTO.gov account to your current PKI digital certificate.

Using your new account

There are new URLs for EFS-Web and Private PAIR when signing in using your USPTO.gov account. You will need to update any bookmarks you may have:

• EFS-Web:  https://efs-my.uspto.gov/EFSWebUIRegistered/EFSWebRegistered
• Private PAIR:  https://ppair-my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair

More Information

Please review the Patent Electronic System Access Document for additional information on authentication, sponsorship, and verification for accessing patent electronic systems.

We invite you to register for multiple information sessions related to this authentication change, because new information will be added as it becomes available. 

For more information, visit Authentication Change for EFS-Web and PAIR.

If you need assistance creating your USPTO.gov account, please call the USPTO Contact Center (UCC) at 800-786-9199. For assistance with migration, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center at ebc@uspto.gov or 866-217-9197.

Advisory (27AUG2018): Authentication Changes

EFS-Web and Private PAIR users will have a new, safer, and simpler log-in through a USPTO.gov account beginning in October 2018. The new method saves time by granting access to multiple USPTO systems with one consolidated sign-in, and eliminates shared credentials by providing practitioner and support staff with their own.

Getting a USPTO.gov account is quick and easy.

If you don’t have a USPTO.gov account, all you have to do is follow these simple steps:

1. Visit https://account.uspto.gov/profile/create-account?domain=efsweb
2. Select “Create an account.”
3. Enter the email address you will use to sign in, as well as other necessary account information, and follow the prompt.
4. Opt-in to two-step authentication
5. Once the tools are available, set up migration and sponsorship

If you use Financial Manager, you already have a USPTO.gov account.

• Just opt-in to two-step authentication.
• Once the tools are available, set up migration and sponsorship.

For additional information, please visit https://www.uspto.gov/AuthenticationChange

If you need any assistance creating your USPTO.gov account, please call the USPTO Contact Center (UCC) at 800-786-9199. For assistance with migration and sponsorship when the tools are available, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center at ebc@uspto.gov or 866-217-9197. 

Advisory (21AUG18): USPTO System Maintenance

Due to system maintenance starting on Tuesday, August 21 at 10:00 PM ET, EFS-Web for Registered eFilers and Private PAIR will be unavailable. We anticipate that they will be back online tomorrow morning.

During the maintenance period, applicants may file new applications, except for National Stage applications under 35 U.S.C. 371, via EFS-Web for Unregistered eFilers or EFS-Web Contingency.

If you need to file a National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. 371 or a follow-on submission to an existing application during the maintenance period, please use an alternative filing method.

Additional information and updates will be posted on the USPTO Systems Status and Availability at http://www.uspto.gov/blog/ebiz/

If you have questions, please contact the Patent EBC at 1-866-217-9197 or ebc@uspto.gov.

Advisory (01SEPT17): New DOCX and XML Features Coming Soon

Effective on Sunday, September 10, 2017, EFS-Web Registered and Private PAIR users will have access to new DOCX and XML features. The features include the ability for applicants to file structured text via EFS-Web, access structured text submissions, structured text Office actions, and XML downloads via Private PAIR. These features have been available to participants in the eMod Text Pilot Program since August 2016 and updates were made based on participant feedback.

To implement the new features, EFS-Web, EFS-Web Contingency, and Private and Public PAIR will be unavailable Sunday, 9/10/2017 starting at 12:01 AM ET, and ending by 5:00 AM ET.

During this outage, if you need to file patent applications or submissions, please use an alternative filing method. When systems are available, notification will be posted on the USPTO Systems Status and Availability at http://www.uspto.gov/blog/ebiz/

For additional information, please see the associated Quick Start Guides:

• DOCX Intake Quick Start Guide
• Access and Download DOCX Quick Start Guide

If you have any questions or need assistance filing via EFS-Web or PAIR, please contact the Patent EBC at 1-866-217-9197 or ebc@uspto.gov.

Advisory (04APR17): EFS-Web Issue Resolved - Wrong General Deposit Account Number Displayed on Electronic Acknowledgement Receipts

If you received an Electronic Acknowledgement Receipt with an incorrect general deposit account number for fee pre-authorizations(s), a corrected receipt is now available in the application’s Image File Wrapper (IFW) and viewable in Private PAIR with the document description  “EFS Acknowledgment Receipt (Corrected)” (doc code: N417.CORR).

EFS-Web submissions were impacted if they met ALL of the following criteria:

• The EFS-Web submission was submitted between June 2, 2016 – September 17, 2016;
• A general deposit account was applied to authorize the Office to charge any missing fees;
• Payment was processed using the new payment system, Financial Manager; and
• Payment method for online processing was different than the general deposit account number, i.e., (1) you paid with credit/debit card or EFT and applied a general deposit account; or

(2) you paid with a deposit account and used a different deposit account for pre-authorization.

If you received an adverse action as a result of this error, please contact the business unit that sent the action.  If you have questions, please contact the EBC (Patent Electronic Business Center) at 1-866-217-9197, Monday through Friday from 6AM - Midnight ET, or email ebc@uspto.gov.

New Interim Authentication Method for EFS-Web and PAIR Access via Firefox

Firefox released Firefox 52 on March 7, 2017. This iteration dropped support for NPAPI (including the Java plug-in), which impacts your ability to access EFS-Web and Private PAIR because Java is required for authentication into these systems. Additional information regarding Java and Firefox.

New Interim Authentication Method to Use Firefox

To continue using Firefox to access EFS-Web and Private PAIR, please use the new interim authentication method Java Web Start, which requires the latest Java 8 version.

Upon entering EFS-Web or Private PAIR in your web browser, select the “Authenticate with Java Web Start (new method)” link, which will launch a new window. Input your .epf file, password, select the checkbox next to “I understand…”, and click the Authenticate button. If successful, the Authenticate Java Web Start window will close and allow you to access EFS-Web or Private PAIR in your browser.  

For additional information and instructions on using the Interim Authentication method, please visit EFS-Web and PAIR System Requirements, under the Java Web Start section.

The USPTO is working on a longer term, permanent authentication method, to improve the overall authentication process. If you have questions, please contact the Patent EBC at (866) 217-9197 or send an email to EBC@uspto.gov.

ADVISORY (13FEB2017) USPTO Systems Maintenance on February 26 

USPTO Systems Maintenance on February 26

Due to maintenance, EFS-Web, EFS-Web Contingency, and Private and Public PAIR will be unavailable Sunday, 2/26/2017 starting at 12:01 AM ET, and ending by 11:59 PM ET.

When systems are available, notification will be posted on the USPTO Systems Status and Availability at http://www.uspto.gov/blog/ebiz/

EFS-Web Applicants

During the maintenance period, if you need to file patent applications or submissions, please use an alternative filing method.

If you have questions, please contact the Patent EBC at 1-866-217-9197 or ebc@uspto.gov.

ADVISORY (18Oct2016) USPTO Maintenance on October 24th

Due to maintenance, EFS-Web, Private PAIR, and Digital Certificate Management tools will be unavailable Monday, October 24 starting at 12:01 a.m. ET, and ending by 6:00 AM ET.

When systems are available, notification will be posted on the USPTO Systems Status and Availability at http://www.uspto.gov/blog/ebiz/

EFS-Web Applicants

During the maintenance period, applicants may file new applications using EFS-Web for Unregistered eFilers or use an alternative filing method.

If you have questions, please contact the Patent EBC at 1-866-217-9197 or ebc@uspto.gov.

ADVISORY (11Oct2016) EFS-Web and Private PAIR: Interim Authentication Solution Update and Java Reminder

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 October 24^th, 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.

A new permanent authentication method is currently under development. For additional information regarding these authentication methods, please visit EFS-Web/PAIR System Requirements.

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.

ADVISORY (20Jul2016) USPTO Systems Maintenance on July 30

Due to maintenance, EFS-Web, EFS-Web Contingency, Public PAIR, and Private PAIR will be unavailable Saturday, July 30 starting at 12:01 a.m. ET, and ending on 11:59 p.m. ET.

When systems are available, notification will be posted on the USPTO Systems Status and Availability at http://www.uspto.gov/blog/ebiz/

EFS-Web Applicants

During the maintenance period, applicants may file new patent applications, new international design applications and documents and fees for national stage entry under 35 U.S.C. 371 via Priority Mail Express® from the United States Postal Service (USPS) in accordance with 37 CFR 1.10. Applicants may file other documents or fee payments by:

1. first class mail with a certificate of mailing in accordance with 37 CFR 1.8, or

2. Priority Mail Express® from the USPS in accordance with 37 CFR 1.10. 

Please note that filing of a new international (PCT) application or a new application under 35 USC 111(a), except reissue, design or plant applications, other than by the Office’s electronic filing system requires payment of the non-electronic filing fee (37 CFR 1.16(t) and 1.445(a)(1)(ii)) in addition to the other required fees. The non-electronic filing fee is $400 ($200 for small and micro entities). Also please note that an international design application filed in paper may be subject to additional WIPO publication fees.

New patent applications, new international design applications, copies of the international (PCT) application and basic national fee necessary to enter the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371, and documents that are required to establish the filing date of an application (e.g., a missing drawing figure or page of the specification) cannot be submitted by facsimile transmission, and certificate of mailing procedures under 37 CFR 1.8 do not apply to these documents. Patent correspondence, including new patent applications, new international design applications, and documents or fee payments, cannot be submitted via e-mail.

If you have any questions regarding alternative filing methods, please contact the USPTO Inventor’s Assistance Center during business hours (Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET) at 1-800-786-9199. Information regarding filing by first class mail with a certificate of mailing or by Priority Mail Express can also be found in the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP), Sections 512 and 513. Applicants are strongly advised to transmit their electronic filings prior to the outage period to ensure that the submissions are correctly completed.

If you have questions, please contact the Patent EBC at 1-866-217-9197 or ebc@uspto.gov.

ADVISORY (28Jun2016) USPTO Announces Global Dossier Access for Public and Private PAIR

Beginning on June 26, users are able to access Global Dossier through Public and Private PAIR via a Global Dossier hyperlink--only available when a user is viewing a publicly available utility application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) and publicly available national stage applications submitted under 35 U.S.C. 371.

For additional information, please visit the Global Dossier Initiative page.

ADVISORY (28Jun2016) USPTO Announces New Download Features in Private PAIR

As of June 26, there are new download features within Private PAIR under the IFW tab, the View Outgoing Correspondence Search, and View e-Office Action Notifications.

These new download features are part of the eMod Project. The first new download features are two buttons labeled XML and DOCX.  At this time, the XML and DOCX buttons are inactive until these files types become available to eMod Text Pilot Program participants. The additional new download feature is a PDF hyperlink, which is available to all Private PAIR users.

For additional information about the eMod Project and how to join the eMod Text Pilot Program, please visit the eMod page.

ADVISORY (16MAY2016) USPTO Systems Maintenance on May 21st

Due to maintenance required on USPTO systems, Public PAIR, Private PAIR, EFS-Web and EFS-Web Contingency will be unavailable beginning Saturday, May 21 at 10:00 PM ET, and ending on Sunday, May 22 at 10 p.m. ET.

When systems are available, notification will be posted on the USPTO Systems Status and Availability at http://www.uspto.gov/blog/ebiz/

EFS-Web Applicants:

During the maintenance period, applicants may file new patent applications, new international design applications and documents and fees for national stage entry under 35 U.S.C. 371 via Priority Mail Express® from the United States Postal Service (USPS) in accordance with 37 CFR 1.10. Applicants may file other documents or fee payments by:

1. facsimile transmission to the USPTO Central Facsimile (571) 273-8300,

2. first class mail with a certificate of mailing in accordance with 37 CFR 1.8, or

3. Priority Mail Express® from the USPS in accordance with 37 CFR 1.10.

Please note that filing of a new application under 35 USC 111(a), except reissue, design or plant applications, via Priority Mail Express® requires payment of the non-electronic filing fee (37 CFR 1.16(t)) in addition to the other required fees. The non-electronic filing fee is $400 ($200 for small and micro entities). Also please note that an international design application filed in paper may be subject to additional WIPO publication fees (see http://www.wipo.int/hague/en/fees/sched.htm).

New patent applications, new international design applications, copies of the international (PCT) application and basic national fee necessary to enter the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371, and documents that are required to establish the filing date of an application (e.g., a missing drawing figure or page of the specification) cannot be submitted by facsimile transmission, and certificate of mailing procedures under 37 CFR 1.8 do not apply to these documents. Patent correspondence, including new patent applications, new international design applications, and documents or fee payments, cannot be submitted via e-mail.

Please contact the USPTO Inventor’s Assistance Center during business hours (Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM ET) at 1-800-786-9199 if you have any questions regarding alternative filing methods. Information regarding filing by first class mail with a certificate of mailing or by “Priority Mail Express” can also be found in the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP), Sections 512 and 513, available on the USPTO Web site at: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/index.html. Applicants are strongly advised to transmit their electronic filings prior to the outage period to ensure that the submissions are correctly completed.

If you have questions, please contact the Patent EBC at 1-866-217-9197 or ebc@uspto.gov.

ADVISORY (03DEC2015) USPTO Systems Maintenance on December 5th

Due to maintenance required on USPTO systems, access to Public PAIR, Private PAIR, EFS-Web and EFS-Web Contingency will be unavailable beginning 12:01 a.m. and ending at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, December 5th ET.

When systems are available, notification will be posted on the USPTO Systems Status and Availability at http://www.uspto.gov/blog/ebiz/

EFS-Web Applicants:

During this outage period, applicants may file new patent applications, new international design applications, and documents and fees for national stage entry under 35 U.S.C. 371 via Priority Mail Express® from the United States Postal Service (USPS) in accordance with 37 CFR 1.10. Applicants may file other documents or fee payments by:

(1) facsimile transmission to the USPTO Central Facsimile (571) 273-8300,
(2) first class mail with a certificate of mailing in accordance with 37 CFR 1.8, or
(3) Priority Mail Express® from the USPS in accordance with 37 CFR 1.10

Please note that filing of a new application under 35 USC 111(a), except reissue, design or plant applications, via Priority Mail Express® requires payment of the non-electronic filing fee (37 CFR 1.16(t)) in addition to the other required fees. The non-electronic filing fee is $400 ($200 for small and micro entities).  Also please note that an international design application filed in paper may be subject to additional WIPO publication fees (see http://www.wipo.int/hague/en/fees/sched.htm).

New patent applications, new international design applications, copies of the international (PCT) application and basic national fee necessary to enter the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371, and documents that are required to establish the filing date of an application (e.g., a missing drawing figure or page of the specification) cannot be submitted by facsimile transmission, and certificate of mailing procedures under 37 CFR 1.8 do not apply to these documents. Patent correspondence, including new patent applications, new international design applications, and documents or fee payments, cannot be submitted via e-mail. Please contact the USPTO Inventor’s Assistance Center during business hours (Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM ET) at 1-800-786-9199 if you have any questions regarding alternative filing methods. Information regarding filing by first class mail with a certificate of mailing or by “Priority Mail Express” can also be found in the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP), Sections 512 and 513, available on the USPTO Web site at: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/index.html. Applicants are strongly advised to transmit their electronic filings prior to the outage period to ensure that the submissions are correctly completed.

If you have questions, please contact the Patent EBC at 1-866-217-9197 or ebc@uspto.gov.

ADVISORY (03AUGUST2015) 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 Windows10.  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.

ADVISORY (10JULY2015) Due to emergency maintenance required on USPTO systems, access to Patent, Trademark and Finance’s electronic systems will be unavailable beginning 8:00 p.m. Saturday, July 18^th and ending at 5 p.m. Sunday July 19^th ET. 

During this outage period, patent applicants may file new patent applications and documents and fees for national stage entry under 35 U.S.C. 371 via “Priority Mail Express^®” from the United States Postal Service (USPS) in accordance with 37 CFR 1.10.  

Patent applicants may file other documents or fee payments by:

1. facsimile transmission to the USPTO Central Facsimile (571) 273-8300,
2. first class mail with a certificate of mailing in accordance with 37 CFR 1.8, or
3. "Priority Mail Express^®" from the USPS in accordance with 37 CFR 1.10

Please note that filing of a new application under 37 USC 111(a), except reissue, design or plant applications, via Priority Mail Express^® requires payment of the non-electronic filing fee (37 CFR 1.16(t)) in addition to the other required fees.  The non-electronic filing fee is $400 ($200 for small and micro entities).

New patent applications, copies of the international application and basic national fee necessary to enter the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371, and documents that are required to establish the filing date of an application (e.g., a missing drawing figure or page of the specification) cannot be submitted by facsimile transmission, and certificate of mailing procedures under 37 CFR 1.8 do not apply to these documents.  Patent correspondence, including new patent applications and documents or fee payments, cannot be submitted via e-mail.  Please contact the USPTO Inventor’s Assistance Center during business hours (Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM ET) at 1-800-786-9199 if you have any questions regarding alternative filing methods.  Information regarding filing by first class mail with a certificate of mailing or by “Priority Mail Express” can also be found in the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP), Sections 512 and 513, available on the USPTO Web site at http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/index.html.  

Applicants are strongly advised to transmit their electronic filings prior to the outage period to ensure that the submissions are correctly completed.

ADVISORY (22JUNE2015)  In April 2015, 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

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

Although the above browsers should continue to work with EFS-Web and Private PAIR, there is always a possibility that these providers may decide to discontinue support of Java plug-ins as well.  The USPTO is closely monitoring for any changes, and is committed to keep the IP Community informed accordingly.

Furthermore, the USPTO is investigating if there are possible strategies to mitigate the impact. The Agency 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 for comprehensive contact information, FAQ’s, and other eFiling resources.

ADVISORY (17JUNE2015) Private PAIR is currently experiencing intermittent issues with the search functionality. Users are getting the message “Sorry, unable to process your request due to high system volume.”  We are investigating and we hope to have a resolution soon. Sorry for the inconvenience.

ADVISORY (13Jun2015) USPTO Announces Enhancements to Private PAIR