How does the Electronic Filing System (EFS) affect voluntary publication requests?
The Electronic Filing System (EFS) plays a crucial role in the voluntary publication process. All requests for voluntary publication must include a copy of the application that complies with the Office’s electronic filing system requirements.
MPEP 1133 specifies that the request must include: “(A) a copy of the application in compliance with the Office Electronic Filing System (EFS) requirements, e.g., set forth in the EFS-Web Legal Framework“
If the submitted application copy does not meet these EFS requirements, the USPTO will not publish the application and will refund the publication fee. It’s essential for applicants to familiarize themselves with the EFS-Web Legal Framework and ensure their application is properly formatted for electronic submission to avoid delays or rejections in the voluntary publication process.
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