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DOC/PTO RIN: 0651-AC19 Publication ID: Spring 2009 
Title: Changes to Implement Electronic Patent Publication 
Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) is proposing to revise the rules of practice to implement electronic patent publication. The electronic patent publication process would permit the Office to issue patents and reexamination certificates, and publish statutory invention registrations more quickly and to reduce the pendency of the application or reexamination proceeding by about two weeks. The electronic patent publication process would also increase the accessibility of patents and reexamination certificates. A copy of the patent including the cover sheet and the reexamination certificate(s), if applicable, would be electronically available upon the issuance. The patentees, the requesters, and any member of the public would be able to view and print a copy of the patent including the cover sheet in color, the reexamination certificate(s), and statutory invention registrations through the Patent Application Image Retrieval (PAIR) system. The Office would no longer provide a ribbon copy of the letters patent, paper copy of a reexamination certificate(s), paper copy of a statutory invention registration or paper copy of a certificate of correction to the patentee or the requester. The Office is proposing to amend the rules to provide that patentees may request paper bound copies of a patent including the cover sheet for a fee. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-Term Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1   
Legal Authority: 35 USC 2(b)(2)   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  To Be Determined    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Robert W. Bahr
Senior Patent Attorney
Department of Commerce
Patent and Trademark Office
Mail Stop Comments-Patents, Commissioner for Patents, P. O. Box 1450,
Alexandria, VA 22313
Phone:571 272-8800
Email: robert.bahr@uspto.gov