USPTO Allows Filing of Plant Patent Applications Via Electronic Filing Systems
Written May 8, 2020
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that it will temporarily permit the filing of plant patent applications and follow-on documents via the USPTO patent electronic filing systems (EFS-Web or Patent Center) until further notice. Filers are reminded that only registered users of the USPTO patent electronic filing systems may file follow-on documents into existing applications via the USPTO patent electronic filing systems. The USPTO considers the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak to be an “extraordinary situation” within the meaning of 37 CFR 1.183. The requirements for filing such plant patent applications and follow-on documents via the USPTO patent electronic filing systems were developed to assist filers and facilitate the USPTO’s identification and processing of the plant patent applications and follow-on documents during the pandemic.