Electronic patent filing is the service of United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTOs) which eases the patent filing method. It is much quicker, easier, and cheaper than the conventional patent filing. However, if you are going to file a patent application electronically you must save the drawings in PDF format and then submit. So, if you want to know more about electronic patent filing you are the right place. Keep reading this article till end and get to know everything about it.
Also read: Foreign Patent Filing Strategy: Important Steps
Understanding Filing an Electronic Patent
Here we are going to tell few steps that you must follow while going to file for an electronic patent.
- You first need to visit the EFS website and select “eFile Unregistered” below Patent Digital Submitting. However, you need to follow this step only if you have never registered as an e-filer with the USPTO. If you have you can use your old account.
- After registering, a display screen will appear where you need to submit your first and last name and select “New Patent.”
- You then need to Select Design.
- Later select Nonprovisional Application.
- Upon the display of next screen you can add the title of your design along with your communication details.
- The next display screen is asks you to import and upload your documents in PDFs. Underneath “Document Description,” select the corresponding option from the drop-down menu.
- Once add your PDFs, you need to click on “Upload and Validate” on the bottom of the display screen.
- The next display screen states about the confirmation of your documents uploaded and validated or not. If it is not, don’t worry it will also give you directions on how to handle any issues.
- Select the fees for which you’ll be paying. It’s best to pay for all fees at this time. Click on “Calculate” and then click “Proceed.”
- On the next display screen, you’ll be asked to submit your application. You will then be taken to a website to pay by bankcard. The USPTO will not start reviewing your application until your fees are paid. You will receive a digital receipt and proof of submission.
At this point, you must have written your patent application and have separate PDFs saved that you can submit to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). You should plan your timing well in this area. If you file too early, you will prematurely begin your one-year time interval. In the event you file too late, you might lose some patent rights.
Also read: Patent Application Proofreading Steps to Make Error Free Patent
Provisional Patent Warning
Your provisional patent will expire after 12 months. If you wish to hold your patent protection after that time, set a reminder for about 10 months after you file to re-file a brand new provisional patent or to file a non-provisional patent.
Submitted Drawing Rules
The Guidelines for submitted patent drawings can be found in Section 608.02 of the MPEP, which is the main reference that should be used when preparing patent drawings. If you intend to submit color drawings with your application you will need to file a petition that outlines why color drawings are critical to understanding your specific concept or idea.
Like color drawings, black and white images are usually not permitted in utility patent applications. The USPTO will settle for black and white images, nevertheless, when the invention cannot be illustrated in ink. General examples include images of cell cultures and crystalline buildings.
Also read: How to Trademark Business Name?
How can “PATENT PARALEGAL FORCE” help you with this?
As you read above, each county has their different patent laws, thus it can be nightmare for you to think of obtaining patent rights in multiple countries. This makes the International or foreign patent filing a cumbersome task to achieve. Thus you need a professional patent paralegal, who is exposed to patent laws of multiple countries. They can help you meet the challenges possessed by patent law of every country in an easier way. Thus, they make your foreign patent filing smooth and quick. That is why you need to choose us, “Patent Paralegal Force”
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