USPTO DOCX Announcement

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has delayed the implementation of the non-DOCX filing surcharge until January 17, 2024. In addition, the option to upload a backup PDF version with the DOCX filing of the application has been extended until further notice.

The Federal Register Notices can be viewed using the USPTO links found here:

2023-11917.pdf (federalregister.gov)

2023-11910.pdf (federalregister.gov)

The USPTO will continue to accept non-DOCX specifications for non-provisional applications filed under 35 U.S.C. § 111, including Paris Convention, and non-convention applications including: divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, and PCT bypass-continuations without the surcharge fee until January 17, 2024. The DOCX surcharge does not apply to US National Stage Applications, Provisional Patent applications, Design Patent applications or PCT International Applications filed in the US Receiving Office.

We will keep you posted of any further updates about the USPTO DOCX as they become available.