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Patent Center to fully replace USPTO legacy system for filing and managing patent applications online
WASHINGTON—Beginning November 8, 2023, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) Patent Center system will fully replace the EFS-Web system and the Private Patent Application Information Retrieval (Private PAIR) tool for the electronic filing and management of patent applications.
“At the USPTO, we are dedicated to providing the most reliable tools to offer a seamless approach for our users,” said Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. “Patent Center serves as another reminder of our commitment to innovation and upholding high quality standards in all of our systems.”
The transition to the Patent Center system is essential to ensure that USPTO tools continue to meet and evolve with our user’s needs for patent application filing and retrieval.
Since its launch six years ago, Patent Center has undergone rigorous user testing and iterative improvements, based largely on public feedback. We will continue to use the feedback we receive from our stakeholder listening sessions, Patent Center training programs, and other events to further refine Patent Center to meet users’ needs. Suggestions and ideas for improvements can be submitted by contacting emod@uspto.gov.
In addition to the functionality currently available in EFS-Web and Private PAIR systems, Patent Center provides improved system performance and a more intuitive user interface for an enhanced user experience. Patent Center also includes new features:
- Upload multiple files at once using the drag and drop interface
- Upload the specification, claims, abstract, and drawings in a single DOCX document without the need to manually separate sections
- Download multiple documents at one time within a single PDF or ZIP file
- Separate submission and payment receipts clearly confirms the status of submitted documents and successful payments
- Training mode is an interactive simulation to safely practice filing DOCX and PDF documents and receive real-time feedback
In preparation for the transition, the USPTO is hosting several training events with question-and-answer sessions to further increase users’ familiarity with Patent Center. For more information, including instructional guides, links to training, and contact information for technical assistance, please visit the EFS-Web and Private PAIR retirement webpage and the Patent Center information webpage on the USPTO website.
This upgrade of USPTO systems is just one way we are updating our online services. For information on additional enhancements, visit our web improvements page. Stay current with the USPTO by subscribing to receive email updates at our Subscription Center.
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