How do patent examiners record their time and activities?

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.

Patent examiners record their time and activities using the USPTO’s Patent Application Locating and Monitoring (PALM) system. According to MPEP 1705, “Examiners will use the Office’s Patent Application Locating and Monitoring (PALM) system to record their time and activity for each application.” This system allows examiners to track various aspects of their work, including:

• Time spent on individual applications
• Types of activities performed
• Progress on assigned cases

The PALM system helps ensure accurate recordkeeping and efficient management of patent examination processes.