NEW PRIVATE PAIR RELEASED AT USPTO: The good folks at Rethink(IP) (Stephen Nipper and Matt Buchanan) provide a rundown on the USPTO's latest release on the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Four highlights were identified on the new system:

1. Web-Based Digital Certificate Security- requestors no longer have to download USPTO Direct software. Log-in can be done through any browser (FireFox hasn't been completely vetted yet) by using an already-issued digital certificate (.EFS file) and password.

2. First Action Prediction - a new tab in Private Pair will give a prediction when a first office action will be issued. The system will even generate a letter that may be printed out.

3. Tabbed Browser- a uniform, tabbed browser interface makes it easier to navigate.

4. Supplemental Content - biosequence listings, text tables, computer program listings, etc. will also be provided.


A beta version has already been posted to the USPTO web site, and can be accessed here.

Th full presentation including audio and slides is available here (login required).