EFS-Web Program Update

The October 2005 edition of the "EFS-Web News Program Update" is now available, with news and screenshots from the upcoming beta test of EFS-Web, the web-based patent filing system for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

According to the newsletter, EFS-Web’s Beta testing will be divided into two goups. The first group to be able to test EFS-Web will be those who participated in previous E-Filing Forums. Forum participants will receive an invitation in mid-October and the Beta will open on Friday, December 1, 2005. During the Beta, digital certificate holders will authenticate using TruePass™ and their existing digital certificates. Phase 1 Beta users will be able to use the system during Phase 2 as well.

Formal training activities will begin on November 29, 2005, however, before that date, the EFS-Web Team will be providing Beta users with useful information, such as online interactive presentations, computer-based training modules, and one-on-one training with the EFS-Web Team.

The second group to test EFS-Web will be selected from individuals who have expressed an interest in the Beta but who were not E-Filing Forum participants. Phase 2 will begin on Tuesday, January 17, 2006. Digital certificate holders in this group will also authenticate using TruePass™ and their existing digital certificates. Upon successful completion of the Beta, EFS-Web will move into production on Friday, March 17, 2006.

Here are the upcoming target dates:

• October 17: Beta Invitations Sent
• November 30: Beta Packets Sent and Training Begins
• December 1: Beta Phase 1 Begins
• January 17: Beta Phase 2 Begins
• March 17: EFS-Web Production Begins