eCommerce Modernization Browse Recent ideas

This idea is similar to one I posted earlier, but comes up in a different context. See: https://uspto-emod.ideascale.com/a/dtd/537995-31593, for the original idea relating to correcting EFS-Web filings after pressing the Submit button). Sometimes, either due to an error on behalf of the filer or due to the USPTO Financial Manager not working properly, submissions are made without payment of fees that are due. Sometimes ...more »

Sometimes, and frequently enough to warrant this comment, the Financial Manager payment system does not work at the exact moment you are submitting an issue fee payment. Unfortunately, the system often goes down temporarily and without notice (so the user has no idea that the system is not working) or there is some glitch with the browser being used such that the end result is that the payment system does not work. ...more »

This really is about the new Global Dossier (and PAIR Modernization seemed the closest category to comment in). Specifically, in the new Citation List Beta release, the field to accept application serial numbers is limited to 8 characters, so if you cut and past an application serial number in the format: XX/123,456 the end result will be XX/123,4 with the last two digits truncated (similarly, XX/123456 will be truncated ...more »

I think when you get the automatic approval of an e-Terminal Disclaimer in EFS, that the approval receipt document should include the patent/application number(s) that were listed in the disclaimer. I think it would also be very helpful if the notice on the front of the patent indicating that the patent is subject to a disclaimer also listed the patents/application number(s) disclaimed.

The PTO requires designation of what type of fees are being paid. When none of the listed options fit, there should be an "other" option which would be followed by a space where the Payor would identify the purpose of the fee. This would also permit payment in a small entity amount of fees in an application that is currently non-small entity (or vice-versa) and the payment is accompanied by a change of status request ...more »

Please include all pertinent applicant/application information on the first page of the official Filing Receipt, such as the title of the application and the entity status. Often this information is on second page, which I find a nuisance.

The requirement that s-signatures be placed within slashes (e.g., /John Doe/) is an anachronism that is difficult and time-consuming to explain to inventors and executives, and even harder to achieve in practice. Modern signing services (e.g., such as DocuSign, et al.) provide proof of an intent to sign that can be retained in the practitioner's file. For the 21st century we need to permit signing the way the rest of ...more »

When we do a final review of documents uploaded, we sometimes discover errors. In order to fix those errors, we have to first delete the file (losing the document description, or document descriptions and page numbers for multi-part files), and then upload a new file, and adding the document description again.

It would be really useful to be able to replace the PDF file, while keeping all the other data in place.

It would be useful to have the current status of an application displayed on EFS Web, in the block identifying the application. This is particularly useful if you are submitting an IDS (knowing that there was an office action set tells you whether you need to pay a fee.) It's also useful when submitting a response, as a reminder that an Extension of Time may be due, etc. It could be as simple as: Non-Final Action ...more »

Saved submissions are a great way to work with someone else to set up a filing, and then have them review and submit it. But right now it takes five clicks to get there, for of which are entirely unnecessary. There should be a single click access to saved submissions. The third radio button should be "access saved submissions." It would also be nice to have the serial number in addition to the title & EFS ID on ...more »

Hi. When you call the USPTO and choose EFS-Web (or any other department/topic) there's this really depressing music that plays while you're on hold. If I turn down the volume on my speaker phone I can miss the person that takes the call. Really, this music makes me down in the dumps. Can it be changed? How about old-fashioned Muzak from the 70s? Was wondering if there were studies done and it was determined that depressing ...more »

Currently, if a firm changes their mailing address, the changes to trademark applications and registrations must be updated one at a time. In a large portfolio of hundreds of applications and registrations, this is time consuming. It would be great if we could update firm addresses in trademark applications in bulk, e.g. by customer number or single spreadsheet.