Are You Inserting Your Own Electronic Signatures on USPTO Filings?

Are You Inserting Your Own Electronic Signatures on USPTO Filings?
	Yes
	No
	I will from now on
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According to "Changes to Facilitate Electronic Filing of Patent Correspondence, Final rule:"

A legible electronic image of a handwritten signature inserted, or copied and
pasted by the person signing the correspondence into the correspondence may be
considered to be an acceptable signature under § 1.4(d)(2) provided the signature is surrounded by a first single forward slash mark before the electronic image and a second single forward slash mark after the electronic image. That is, the legible electronic image of a handwritten signature must be enclosed between two single forward slashes, and the signer’s name indicated below or adjacent to the signature as required by § 1.4(d)(2). The slashes must be inserted in the correspondence prior to, or at the same time as, the insertion of the signature. The slashes must not be added after the insertion of the signature.

From 37 C.F.R. 1.4(d)(4)(ii):

(ii) Certifications as to the signature: (A) Of another: A person submitting a
document signed by another under paragraphs (d)(2) or (d)(3) of this section is
obligated to have a reasonable basis to believe that the person whose signature is present on the document was actually inserted by that person, and should retain evidence of authenticity of the signature.

(B) Self certification: The person inserting a signature under paragraphs (d)(2) or (d)(3) of this section in a document submitted to the Office certifies that the inserted signature appearing in the document is his or her own signature.

(C) Sanctions: Violations of the certifications as to the signature of another or a person's own signature, set forth in paragraphs (d)(4)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section, may result in the imposition of sanctions under § 10.18(c) and (d) of this chapter.

From "Legal Framework" for EFS-Web at http://www.uspto.gov/ebc/portal/efs/legal.htm:

If the signer is submitting an application through EFS-Web in image-based PDF
format, he or she should apply either a handwritten signature in compliance with
37 CFR 1.4(d)(1) or an S-signature in compliance with 37 CFR 1.4(d)(2) before scanning the document or converting it to image-based PDF form. It is noted that
when filing a new application by EFS-Web, a signed transmittal form or a signed
application data sheet (ADS) is recommended for identification purposes. It should be noted, however, that a signature is not required to obtain a filing date for a new patent application.

A legible electronic image of a handwritten signature inserted, or copied and pasted by the person signing the correspondence into an application document may be considered to be an acceptable signature. The legible image of the handwritten signature of the person signing the correspondence must be inserted by the person. Additionally, the signature must be surrounded by a first single forward slash mark before the electronic image and a second single forward slash mark after the electronic image. That is, the legible electronic image of a handwritten signature must be enclosed between two single forward slashes and the signer’s name is indicated below or adjacent the signature as per 37 CFR 1.4(d)(2). The slashes may be inserted into the document prior to the insertion of the signature.

The presentation to the USPTO (whether by signing, filing, submitting, or later advocating) of any document constitutes a certification under 37 CFR 10.18(b)(2). See 37 CFR 1.4(d)(4).

. . . For more information on these policies, please contact Diana Oleksa,
Legal Advisor – IT Projects, PCT Legal Administration, at Diana.Oleksa@uspto.gov .

View examples of acceptable and unacceptable "S-signatures" from the USPTO, here.

Get a more-comprehensive view of the problem from Patrick J. Hatfield's (Lord, Bissell & Brook LLP) "Electronic Signatures," a six-page assessment of the current state of field.