USPTO moves forward with massive overhaul of trademark system
By
Nick Wakeman
The Patent and Trademark Office is taking another step toward overhauling how it processes trademarks, and a new RFI spells out what it is looking for from industry.
The Patent and Trademark Office is taking another step toward its overhaul how it processes trademark requests.
USPTO has released a request for information for the Trademark Next Generation – eFile system. The agency wants to replace the current Trademark Electronic Application System, the Trademark Electronic Application System International and the Electronic System for Trademark Trials and Appeals. Those systems will be retired once the eFile systems is up and running.
The agency is collecting information on software development, testing, documenting and support.
Among the objectives that USPTO has set is the creation of a user-friendly system that will allow people to apply for a trademark, file a statement of use and/or extension request, respond to agency questions, maintain registrations and resolve disputes among other features.
There are a plethora of forms including ones for attorneys as well as forms for, intent to use, petitions, registration, response, and others.
Whatever system is built, it will need to integrated into other USPTO systems and services.
USPTO has released a lot of details on what they are looking for. The FBO.gov posting includes the RFI as well as a draft performance work statement and nine attachments. The attachments include things like JAVA coding standards, administrative console requirements, eFile wireframes and Agile foundational practices.
Responses are due Aug. 15. The RFI’s solicitation number is USPTO-289P1651094.