How can I change my entity status for maintenance fee payments?

To change your entity status for maintenance fee payments, you have several options: For payments by mail, facsimile, or hand delivery: Include a paper changing the entity status with your maintenance fee payment. For online payments: Change your entity status before submitting the payment. MPEP 2550 suggests: “Before submitting a payment via the Patent Maintenance…

Read More

What is Private PAIR and how can I access it for international patent applications?

Private PAIR (Patent Application Information Retrieval) is a system that displays information regarding patent application status, allowing applicants to access current patent application status electronically via the Internet. To access private PAIR for international applications, you must meet the following criteria: Be a registered patent attorney/agent, an independent inventor, or a person granted limited recognition…

Read More

Can I change the correspondence address or appoint/change an agent through Private PAIR?

No, you cannot change the correspondence address or appoint/change an agent directly through Private PAIR, even if you have access to view the status of your international application. As stated in MPEP 1809: “The ability to view on private PAIR the status of the international application does not allow an applicant to change the correspondence…

Read More

How can I access patent application status information?

Patent application status information is available through two main systems: Patent Center: Provides information on issued patents, published patent applications, and applications to which a patented or published application claims domestic priority. Private Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR): Allows secure tracking of unpublished patent applications for applicants or registered practitioners with power of attorney. To…

Read More

What information can I find about my patent application status?

The USPTO provides several ways to obtain information about the status of your patent application. According to the standard language in office actions: “Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from Patent Center and the Private Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from Patent…

Read More

How are powers to inspect handled in Image File Wrapper (IFW) applications?

For Image File Wrapper (IFW) applications, the process of granting power to inspect is different. According to MPEP 104: “Powers to inspect are not accepted in Image File Wrapper (IFW) applications. IFW applications are available through the Private Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system, and pro se applicants and attorneys of record have direct access…

Read More