USPTO Customer Number and Digital Certificates

[tony.fulford]

USPTO Customer Number and Digital Certificates

by tony.fulford » Sun Jan 06, 2008 5:07 am

tony.fulford

Green Belt

 

Posts: 160

Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2007 12:04 pm

This topic will address two things you need to consider in doing business with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO):

1. Customer Numbers
   
   

   Source:USPTO:
   A customer number allows you to easily correlate all your filings and correspondence with a single mailing address, eliminating typographical errors or variations in addresses that can make it difficult to correspond with the USPTO.

   
   
   You will only want to apply for a customer number if you have one or more than applications (either provisional or non-provisional) on file with the USPTO.
2. Digital Certificates
   
   

   Source:USPTO:
   EFS-Web offers you the ability to file patent applications and other patent documents electronically in a fraction of the time and at substantially less cost than paper filings. You forgo printing, postage, courier costs, and you receive immediate notification that your submission has been received. Unlike paper filings, most new applications submitted electronically can be viewed in Private PAIR within an hour after filing.

   
   
   You will only want a digital certificate if you have one or more applications (either provisional or non-provisional) on file with the USPTO
   OR
   You will be filing ONLINE applications (either provisional or non-provisional) with the USPTO. You can file applications as an unregistered e-filer.

I will not repeat the USPTO instructions here, but I will provide the following links:

Applying for Customer Number and Digital Certificate

Electronic Filing System (EFS) FAQ's

Now that we know how to file for a customer number and digital certificate; Why would we want too? The primary purpose is to be able to file your own Provisional Application for Patent online and to group them under your customer number. Filing online is just more convenient and avoids all the printing, packaging, and mailing. Within less than a minute of filing online, you have your application number.

I understand the debate over provisional versus non-provisional, but I am not going to address that here other than to say that your provisional must be complete in terms of stating your idea. After all, a non-provisional must be filed within 12 months referencing your provisional.

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