How are papers electronically submitted to the USPTO handled in the Image File Wrapper?

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Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-10 10 Rules 5 Related FAQs This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice. Papers electronically submitted to the USPTO are handled as follows in the Image File Wrapper: They are automatically entered into the Image File Wrapper. The system assigns each paper a unique document code. The paper is given an electronic receipt date. For patent applications filed on or after September 16, 2012, papers are made available to the public via the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. As stated in MPEP 719.01 : ‘Papers submitted electronically via EFS-Web will be automatically entered into the Image File Wrapper.’ Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse Papers Not Part of Record Must Not Be Entered MPEP 719.01 Recommended Notations Required for Priority Claims MPEP 719 Original Disclosure Cannot Be Expunged Without Director’s Approval MPEP 719.01 Recommended Papers Not Returned After Filing Date MPEP 719.01 Permitted Confidential Copies Prohibited for Patent Applications MPEP 101 Recommended Patent Application Information Must Be Kept Confidential Until Published MPEP 103 Permitted Third-Party Submissions for Patent Applications MPEP 1134.01 Permitted Public Access to Issued Patent Applications MPEP 101 Required Published Patent Application Not Maintained in Patent Center MPEP 1128 Confidentiality of Unpublished Patent Applications MPEP 101 Required Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse How can an applicant obtain copies of papers submitted to the USPTO? What happens to papers submitted to the USPTO after they are entered into the image file wrapper? What happens to papers filed after the mailing of a Notice of Allowance in an IFW application? How are sequence listings handled in the Image File Wrapper? What happens to pape...