EFS Software out of sync with new fees; Updated software will be available on December 23, 2004 — installation mandatory for eFilers

Today, while filing a provisional application using the electronic filing system, I discovered that the ePAVE software does not reflect the new fees made effective on December 8, 2004. Not a big deal, since you can (and I did) ‘check the box’ to authorize any additional necessary fees.

The Patent Office has announced that new version 5.2 of ePAVE will be available on December 23, 2004. The new version will include the new fee structure, and the Office warns:

“Once ePAVE version 5.2 is available for download from the USPTO web site, eFilers will be able and required to submit the appropriate fees associated with their eFiling. If eFilers then attempt to use ePAVE version 5.1(e) they will receive a Version Synco Error message from the USPTO and the eFiler will not be allowed to continue with their eFiling until the proper version of the software has been installed.”

So, eFilers must download the new software to continue efiling after December 23. And you thought you were leaving the office early on Christmas eve….

The Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2005 continues to expand its reach….