Patent and Trademark Office October 23, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) published on its website an updated legal framework for its Patent Electronic System. The updated legal framework provides guidance on the background statutes, regulations and policies that support the USPTO's Patent Electronic System. The Patent Electronic System currently comprises EFS-Web, which is the USPTO's web-based patent application and document submission system; and the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system, which is the USPTO's web-based means for electronically viewing the status of, and documents filed in or associated with, patent applications and proceedings. The updated legal framework also discusses the two-step authentication method now in place for accessing the Patent Electronic System. The updated legal framework serves as a reference for applicants, parties in reexamination proceedings, attorneys, and agents.