Organizing hundreds of patent applications at the same time is a great deal for patent law firms. It is difficult to keep track of a number of important documents, their deadlines, and timelines, reports, etc., without using any software tool. The role play of patent docketing comes into action in scenarios like this.
Patent docketing is a tool that can be either a system or a method, to manage the patent application process efficiently. It tracks the details about all the important documents, deadlines, and timelines, forms, drawings, and it manages, sorts, and records them within a database. A large number of patent law firms even hires docketing specialists to keep track of their important assets.
Possible implementations can also be found using a software program that can manage the patent docketing process automatically. These can keep a track of dates (both due and deadlines), documents (both submitted and the required ones which are not yet submitted), schedules, alerts, and audit logs. Some programs are made so customizable that, it can add custom dates and individual documents associated with a specific patent, and can even process patents from multiple countries. Customization depends upon the budget and usage of the law firm, using it.
Patent Docketing Process
The process begins when any new patent application arrives along with all the required documents, in a law office. Firstly, the docketer (docketing specialist) labels each document with the essential details, such as name, file number, and then updates scans and feeds every record details in the software. They are also required to create templates and forward documents to other law firms as per the requirement. All the details are updated into the database so that attorneys can easily get to know, how many and which documents have already been submitted and which ones are still pending, and to get every possible detail associated with any patent application with just a click.
For example, a docketing database could be used by any patent attorney who wants to check if any deadlines are coming up for filing a piece of paperwork with the USPTO.
Considering the docketing process, all patent law insurance requires patent law firms to maintain a docket. A docket is a database that stores the patent application documents and alerts attorneys to any upcoming deadlines in the application process. This is to prevent malpractice lawsuits when a law firm misses a filing date and causes a patent to be rejected by the USPTO. Sometimes, for enhancing safety to another level, some insurance companies even require two dockets for better management and for cross-checking each other.
Our Approach
We have a professional team that helps maintain and takes necessary actions, to meet deadlines pertaining to a patent application. We ensure that all important dates regarding patent application are properly docketed in advance and alerts are given on time so that client does not even get close to rejection. We keep the track of all the pre-filing, post-filing, post-grant dates and deadlines associated with our client’s patents and trademarks.
It is required to hire a docketing expert to expect timely alerts and for maintaining important records related to an application, so that all the deadlines are met and all documents are labeled and kept in the correct file, so they can be retrieved when required.
To gain more insights on our patent docketing services and other associated services, please visit our service page. You can also get in touch by filling up our Contact Form and we will get back to you with all the solutions to your queries.
You can also check and review our Free Samples (Patent Drafts from our recent work). Click here to download
