USPTO Getting with the Digital Times!

By Heather Faucher | Posted on July 28, 2009 | Filed Under Patents 

Last week, the United States patent and Trademark Office (the USPTO) announced that it was implementing the e-Office Action program after the successful completion of its pilot project. Under this program, patent filers will receive electronic notices of online communications via e-mail, instead of paper correspondence through snail mail. How does this system work?

It’s as easy as point and click! Those participating in the program are sent a e-mail whenever new communications from the USPTO are available, and then they can access and download those communications via Private PAIR, the patent application information retrieval system. This system allows patent applicants electronic access to their entire file history for their applications.

In the USPTO’s press release, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Acting Director of the USPTO John Doll had this to say: “We received very positive feedback from applicants who participated in the pilot program. Not only have we dramatically reduced paper processing and mailing costs but also expedited notification allowing applicants to take full advantage of their time period for reply to an office action.”

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Patent it Yourself? Maybe not such a great idea after all!

By Heather Faucher | Posted on June 9, 2009 | Filed Under Patents 

So you have an absolutely amazing concept in mind, something so revolutionary it’s going to change the world–or at least one small slice of it.  You’ve drawn up some plans, put together a prototype, and now there’s just one little step between you and hitting it big.  Protecting your invention with a patent.

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