Automated Docketing Overview

IPwe Docket provides automated docketing for all US patents, US trademarks, PCT, EP, CN, JP, and KR patents. We scrape the PTO each morning and update each asset with any new documents and accompanying prosecution due dates, then cross all document types with our AI docket engine to find and calendar all hard and soft due dates and extensions.

Upon login, users are presented with a timeline of their pending actions, accompanied by a list patent applications containing links to individualized asset pages. Users can click on any patent application serial number to be taken to that Detail view.

In each asset page will be the full Detail view of status information, upcoming due dates, bibliographic data, and an always-up-to-date file wrapper containing links to PDFs of PTO documents.

The following will address the creation of reminders, custom due dates and calendar integration, along with how to use IPwe Docket to create a prosecution To-Do List, and more.  

1. Reminders, Custom Due Dates and Calendar Integration

On top of the auto-generated due dates is a suite permitting a range of custom reminders, soft due dates, and calendar integrations.

          1.a. Reminders and Soft Due Dates

While the IPwe Docket platform automates hard and soft due dates according to the MPEP rules, some users may still want to add their own custom reminders and due dates.  

IPwe Docket provides two levels of reminders, both at the docket entry level, or tied to other events.

For larger Decisions, i.e. filing IP documentation with outside parties, we suggest users create reminders as their own docket entries.

For follow-ups or meetings pertaining to a specific docket action, we suggest that users tie those reminders to that docket action.

For either option, first select the Detail view of an asset from the main docketing page.

   

To add a reminder as its own docket entry, just fill in the prompts in the blank “Add Action” boxes, hit the "+" plus sign and it will be added to the Detail view and available in your docket and reports right away.

To tie a reminder to a specific docket entry, first click the drop down menu of the related action. 

The list of due dates and extensions will expand. Fill in the prompts and add the reminder. 

These actions will remain on the asset page, on the timeline, and in docket reports. But note that they will be removed if a user restores the automated docket actions.

 

        1.b. Calendar Integration

Regardless of which method users follow in prioritizing their work, most will still want those due dates added to their calendar. IPwe Docket creates Calendar entries with just a single click of the blue due date. This will create a calendar event, filled with the application number and response date.

Click the blue due date to open up Calendar. Just like with any other calendar invitation, add email addresses of invitees and any relevant notes and be sure to “save” the event before closing the page.

       1.c. Emailed Docket Reports

Along with calendar integration, some users may wish to be sent an automated email each Monday morning that will lay out their priorities for that week. Users must set up this email in the “settings” tab of any Manager account.

First, find the “settings” tab.

     

Near the bottom of the page is a checkbox with “I would like to receive weekly docket reports.” Check the box and be sure to click the “update” button. Now you will be emailed a docket report each Monday morning around 7:00 am. 

2. Restoring Automated Docket Actions

Accidentally deleted a due date? IPwe Docket allows users to restore automated docket actions from right within the platform. 

First, enter the Detail view by clicking its application number.

To restore due dates, find the restore button at the top right of the status box. Click and confirm that it will restore all automated docket actions.

3. Creating Your Prosecution To-Do List

IPwe Docket provides four methods for users to create prosecution To-Do Lists.

      3.a. First Method: Using the Timeline to Create a To-Do List

The timeline is the first way that users can gain insight into upcoming deadlines. Available directly upon login, users can click through an interactive, graphical timeline of all upcoming deadlines, calendar them, go directly to the document requiring the response.

    3.b. Second Method: “To-Do” Tabs

Another method of creating  to-do list is by using the tabs. All pending applications are grouped based on upcoming due dates.

1. Pending Actions Tab

“Pending Actions” includes any pending applications for which there is an upcoming hard or soft due date. It is likely where prosecution counsel will spend most of their time.

2. New Actions Tab

“New Actions” includes any application for which there are new docketed responses. It has a notifications box to alert users to any new actions.

3. All Applications Tab

“All Applications” is a patent application repository. It includes every asset from the other tabs as well as a record of abandoned and rejected applications.

*Note that any applications that grant will automatically be moved to the Issued Patents tab and will no longer be available in “All Applications” or elsewhere under the applications tab.

 

   3.c. Third Method: Accessing Individual Detail view to Create your To-Do List

The third way that users might create their to-do list is through accessing individual Detail view, in which they can create custom reminders and due dates.

While the main docketing page shows upcoming due dates for every asset loaded into the system, users can access more information about an individual asset and can create custom reminders and due dates related to it by clicking its blue serial number. On that page, you will see complete status information with due dates for any pending actions, bibliographic and family data and the entire file wrapper with links to the documents. You can create custom reminders and due dates.

 

    3.d. Fourth Method: Emailed Docket Report “To-Do Lists”

Some users may prefer to be sent an automated email each Monday morning that will lay out their priorities for that week. Users must set up this email in the “settings” tab of any Manager account.

First, find the “settings” tab.

     

Near the bottom of the page is a checkbox with “I would like to receive weekly docket reports.” Check the box and be sure to click the “update” button. Now you will be emailed a docket report each Monday morning around 7:00 am.

 

4. Filtered Reports for Custom “To-Do Lists”

Last, users may wish to see upcoming due dates over a specific time period, and/or for a subset of their applications. This can be done through the Reports page, accessible with the “Reports” button on the left side of the docketing platform.

In the Reports page are both quick reports and more customized reports. Quick reports give users a view of prosecution due dates in the next week, month and quarter. Just click the appropriate buttons to download a PDF of due dates for that time period.

 

But most users will want the more granular custom docket reports. Creating the filters is straightforward - filter by keywords, filing date, due dates and issue dates and more. These results are available to as both a spreadsheet and a PDF.

Just type in any requested filters and apply them with the blue "Apply" button.

Scroll down for the list of assets and export with the "Export Spreadsheet" (more comprehensive) or "PDF Report" (due dates) buttons.

See our guide to creating other types of reports.

FAQ - What happens if I miss a due date?

There are a variety of reasons why users may not file responses to a notice from USPTO on time with the first due date, and IPwe Docket was made to support those strategic decisions. That’s why the AI docketing engine does not just calculate the first due date of a response, but also any relevant extensions, which are included right in the asset view.  IPwe Docket will roll over any missed due dates until the final deadline and will tell the users which extension it is currently docketing.

FAQ - Do I have to tell the platform when I’ve filed a response?

No. The AI checks the entire file history of each asset each morning and will find out if a response has been filed. If so, it will mark it with a green check mark and grayed out text. Alternatively, users can manually mark filed responses by hovering over the response until a green check mark appears. Click on it. The system will now reflect that a response has been filed.

 

Automatically de-docketed by the system - hard deadlines: 

• Response to Non-Final Office Action
• Response to Final Office Action
• Response to Restriction Requirement
• Response to Notice to File Missing Parts
• Issue Fee Payment to Notice of Allowance
• Issue Notification to Issued Patents

Not automatically de-docketed - hard/soft deadlines: Users are encouraged to de-docket manually

• Response to Advisory Action: Several edge cases of possible responses
• Response to Miscellaneous Communication to Applicant - No Action Count (Informal Notice to Applicant): Several different options to respond
• List of References cited by applicant and considered by examiner

FAQ - What does the green check mark mean? What about the grayed out text?

You may find that some of your applications have grayed out text and a green check mark. Don’t worry, that’s just a sign that our docket engine has checked the file history and found that a response was filed.

FAQ - Does IPwe Docket Support Private PAIR?

Yes, IPwe Docket supports Private PAIR. This requires a custom add-on that will allow users to upload their MyUSPTO credentials to the site for direct access to any filings in that user’s PAIR. Please contact us at [e-mail] for more details.