Earlier this month, the USPTO announced a new version (2.1.17) of its EFS-Web fillable e-IDS form (Form PTO/SB/08A). This new version permits up to 300 combined citations of U.S. patents and U.S. patent application publications in a single IDS form. The USPTO has requested that practitioners begin using this form starting January 31, 2010. Submission of an older version of the EFS-Web fillable e-IDS form (version 2.1.16 or earlier) after this date will result in a validation error message. The version number of your form can be found at its bottom left corner.
The new version of the e-IDS form can be obtained here. Follow this link to the advisory.
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© 2010, Michael E. Kondoudis
The Law Office of Michael E. Kondoudis
DC Patent Attorney
www.mekiplaw.com
I’ve worked in the IP field in the past and like to keep up with things. I wasn’t aware of this change, and looking at the PTO web site, their instructions are outdated (2008). What do the certifications statements and other selections on that page now mean? Do you know what the “a certification statement is not submitted herewith” means? It looks as though it should mean that you are paying the fee to file the IDS after you’re received an office action, and that the two certifications are not applicable. But if that’s the case, what would you checkmark if you were filing a new application? Sometimes the PTO is clear as mud. Thanks for this nice blog. I’ve enjoyed reading it.