Electronically filing a patent application with the USPTO is about to change.  Many applicants currently electronically file a PDF of a patent application that the inventors have reviewed.  Once reviewed, the application should not be changed before filling, right?  In the near future, you will need to file applications via the “Patent Center” in a DOCX format, or pay a $400 fee on top of the filing fees.  Did the inventors review the DOCX version of the application? Do you need to change your internal drafting and review processes?  Are you using application drafting tools that result in a DOCX version that will not be changed upon submitting it to the USPTO? 

We will provide some important tips to enable you to safely file applications in DOCX format without risking your license to practice law or having your insurance company freak out.