The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced today that it had launched Dossier Access, the first of a set of business services to be developed as part of the Global Dossier Initiative.  The Global Dossier Initiative is a collaborative project of the IP5 Offices -- the European Patent Office (EPO), Japan Patent Office (JPO), Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China (SIPO), and USPTO – which aims to modernize the global patent system by providing a single portal/user interface for stakeholders.  Dossier Access allows patent applicants to quickly and easily view, monitor, and manage patent protection around the world by providing access to the dossiers of related applications filed at participating offices.

According to the USPTO, the Global Dossier provides the following advantages:

• A single, secure point of access for the management of dossier and examination information
• Increases efficiency and predictability of global patent family prosecution
• Time and cost savings for patent applicants by reducing applicant burden
• Enables and encourages streamlining of Office procedures among different IP Offices
• Improves worldwide patent quality, resulting in higher value patents

Those wishing to provide input, feedback, and suggestions regarding the Global Dossier can do so through the Global Dossier Ideascale.  Additional information regarding the Global Dossier can be obtained by contacting the USPTO at GlobalDossier@USPTO.gov.

In announcing the launch of Dossier Access, the USPTO noted that the IP5 was also evaluating other services, including a mechanism for sharing documents between offices.