(Update: the survey responses have been received. You can see the survey findings.)
Some firms and corporations are trying to figure out what to do about the USPTO’s DOCX initiative (the $400 non-DOCX penalty) that came into effect on January 17, 2024. Other firms and corporations have already decided what to do about the DOCX initiative. This survey hopes to collect responses from firms and corporations about their present approaches to the DOCX initiative. How many firms and corporations have decided not to file in DOCX format (meaning that they have decided to pay the non-DOCX penalty)? How many firms and corporations have decided to file in the DOCX-plus-auxiliary-PDF path? How many firms and corporations have decided to file in the DOCX-alone path?
Please respond to this survey.
We prepare and prosecute many chemical-related applications, and we are uncomfortable with the DocX for faithful reproduction of the chemical structures, formulas, and synthetic schemes. For these applications, we have decided not to file in DOCX format and incur the non-DOCX penalty. The cost will be passed on to the applicant. For other types of cases, we are deciding on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Applicant explaining the pros and cons of the various options with our recommendation to minimally file an auxillary PDF. The firm has provided general guidance and leaves it to practitioners and their clients on specific cases.
Thank you for commenting. Can you please click on the survey link the blog article, and enter your response there? Thanks again.