eCommerce Modernization Search Ideas

Remove the process-pain please. No forms need to be attached/uploaded. Instead of so many USPTO forms, there should be just a web page with each current form being an expandable/collapsible field in the web page. Merge all forms in to one live user-fillabler web page for the registered e-filers. All it needs is a good Java Script based web form. Such web form would have a left pane (for example) which lists all the ...more »

Recently, when the USPTO issues a Notice of Allowance, it also generally requires the applicant to submit an inventor declaration. Often, the processing branch does not go back and look at the file to determine whether such a declaration has already been submitted. This has happened in several cases recently in which we submitted the declarations. We have had such requirements for the declaration lifted by contacting ...more »

The eMod team is looking into ways to update the authentication process, while still maintaining useful features (i.e. multiple users accessing a single account or one user accessing multiple accounts). What do you like/dislike about the current identity authentication process?

We would like to be able to generate forms from the PAIR website, specifically the ADS.

For example, when filing a Continuation or Divisional, it would be must easier to have the ADS form populated with data directly from PAIR, thereby preventing any operator error.

There are other forms that would benefit from this, but the ADS is the most problematic, particularly when claiming priority.

Response dates should be stated on USPTO Actions. This would avoid applicants having to compute the response date.

There are not enough identifiers for documents filed. For instance we need:

Claims not in English

Clean Version of Specification

Marked Version of Specification

There has to be a better way to deal with this post AIA. A POA now requires an application number on the POA or the transmittal. This means you have to do a separate filing for the POA after you obtain the application number. If there is enough other identifying information, you should be able to attend to preparation of ALL of the paperwork in advance and then just do the filing without having this complex sequence ...more »

Currently, if you discover that you have made a typo or checked a wrong box in the first part of a new application filing, there seems to be no way to go back and fix it without losing all of your uploads. You should be able to edit and fix these things easily at least prior to actual submission.

The format used for application numbers, dates and patent documents are inconsistent in PAIR, assignments, EFS, etc.. All areas of the office should utilize the same format for this data, or the software should be modernized to accept all of the common formats. e.g., 14/999,999 and 14999999 or

2015-01-23 and 1/23/2015 and 01/23/2015 etc.

Drawings currently submitted under EFS that don't have a monochromatic palette (i.e. pure black and pure white) end up getting a grayscale screen that distorts the drawing. This problem has been discussed many times on Carl Oppedahl's EFS mailing list. I suggest two things (1) an option to convert drawings submitted as black and white line drawings to pure black and white (i.e. no grayscale overlay), and (2) have a ...more »

Modernize the USPTO and its electronic offerings by offering easily electronically filed and received applications for a utility model patent. Some examiner input would be required, but the process could result in grants in 2 - 3 weeks and be vitally important for the growth of our economy.

Something that attorneys/staff are constantly worried about having to deal with is when their digital certificate expires. There doesn't seem to be a clear and easy way to renew your digital certificate after it has expired. In the past, I have had to fill out a form, mail it in, and wait an undisclosed amount of time for approval. Or I have had to sit on hold for over 20 minutes just to talk to someone to figure out ...more »