[E-trademarks] User verification suddenly required despite being securely logged into MyUSPTO

[Gerry J. Elman]

I have "sponsored" a remote paralegal to log into MyUSPTO for both trademark and patent matters.  Up to now that was working ok. But yesterday, after logging into MyUSPTO, he was stymied from accessing the page for a Section 8 trademark filing for a client I had asked him to start for me.

Instead he was presented with a screen demanding that he provide an additional form of "verification" via the ID.me platform, even though he was already securely logged into MyUSPTO with its own identity factor.  Several months ago I had successfully "sponsored" him as a paralegal working for me. See attached screenshot.

And I find that the ID.me platform is skewed towards people located in the United States.  He is working for me from outside the border.

Has anyone else encountered this sudden impediment to ongoing trademark work?  I had no notice that this additional barrier was going to be erected.  Did I miss a notice from USPTO?  Has this requirement been vetted under the Paperwork Reduction Act?

Any advice as to whom to contact at USPTO?  The Trademark Help Desk wasn't able to provide help here.

-Gerry          gerry at elman.com
Gerry J. Elman, Elman IP
6117 St James Pl, Denton, TX 76210
office ph. 610-892-9942    mobile 610-909-2468



-------- Original message --------
From: Gerry Elman <gjelman at live.com>
Date: 4/16/24 5:08 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: "Gerry J. Elman" <gerry at elman.com>
Subject: TM verification required


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://oppedahl-lists.com/pipermail/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com/attachments/20240417/7107666a/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: TMuserVerificationReq'dScreenshot_16-4-2024_13464_teas.uspto.gov.jpeg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 186586 bytes
Desc: TMuserVerificationReq'dScreenshot_16-4-2024_13464_teas.uspto.gov.jpeg
URL: <http://oppedahl-lists.com/pipermail/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com/attachments/20240417/7107666a/attachment.jpeg>