AIPLA Comments to USPTO on DOCX Submission Requirements
Written August 21, 2023
Arlington, VA. August 7, 2023 - The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) submitted comments to the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on their estimated burden calculations regarding DOCX submission requirements.
The comments argue against requiring filing applications in a DOCX format due to the significant burden it places on patent applicants compared to the projected cost savings for the Office. The letter highlights that the estimated financial burden on applicants is much higher than the cost savings to the Office, especially considering the risks of errors and the challenges associated with the use of a non-industry standard format. AIPLA suggests that alternative methods, such as industry standard text readable PDFs, would achieve the desired efficiencies without the same level of burden and risk on applicants. The comments stress the potential legal and financial consequences of errors introduced by processing DOCX format documents and advocate for a more balanced and less burdensome approach to patent application filing. AIPLA's comments emphasize the need to prioritize applicants' interests and ensure the quality and accuracy of patent applications in any transition to new filing formats.
To view the complete comments, please download the comment letter posted to the right of this page.