USPTO DOCX Filings Surcharge Fee Delay

The USPTO has delayed the effective date of the surcharge fee for non-DOCX filings to January 1, 2023. The PTO Announcement and Federal Register Notice can be viewed using the USPTO link found here:

https://www.uspto.gov/blog/director/entry/modernizing-patent-filing-with-docx

The USPTO will continue to accept DOCX specifications for non-PCT applications first filed in the U.S., for applications filed in the U.S. under the Paris Convention and for applications filed as a by-pass continuation of a PCT application without the surcharge fee. The surcharge delay allows the USPTO time for further testing and for application filers to adjust to the DOCX format.