As the USPTO continues to work with stakeholders to ease the transition to patent application filings in the DOCX format, the Office is extending, until further notice, the option for applicants to upload a backup PDF version of their application with their DOCX version. The backup pdf option, which carries no fee, was first offered in April 2022.
The transition is an important part of the USPTO’s efforts to use all available technology to strengthen patents and reduce pendency times.
Additionally, through a final rule officially published in the Federal Register, the USPTO is delaying the effective date of the non-DOCX filing fee from June 30, 2023, to the new date of Jan. 17, 2024.
Visit uspto.gov/patents/docx for more information about filing patent application documents in DOCX.
