[E-trademarks] Trademark Center - Bad News for Experienced Attorneys

Wed Jul 10 13:37:53 UTC 2024

thank you for your prompt response.  Here is another review of the system that you should consider.  I understand the need for new technology but it appears to me that there is no reason that the old form and procedure could not be implemented into the new system.  Why was there a need to create a new procedure when the old one worked very well!!!  Annette  Just tried out the new beta system. As a paralegal, it is atrocious in my opinion. First of all, it does appear to cater to novice filers which is totally counter to the requirement that all applications be handled by US attorneys. IT requires you to manually go through multiple screens and opt out of extra statements instead of just allowing you to opt in to extra stuff if you might need (translations, geographic significance, disclaimers, etc). It is not easy to tab through and add prefilled information from your browser's memory like it does currently.  In the attorney's section if you try to import the data of the account to save some labor and you are a paralegal, it will fill in the paralegal's information so that feature is basically useless for anybody other than attorneys preparing trademark applications. I don't see that you can copy drafts and replicate for a new filing like you can in the assignment center so there does not appear to be ways to set up templates to avoid having to fill in repetitive information.  The worst part in my opinion is the section where you select TEAS PLUS ID of goods/services it basically has the options in a tiny scrolling screen with 10 or so options and makes you click next to find your selection instead of being to browse a large selection of options and click checkboxes for the applicable ones. Not having the obj. file save option is also unforgiveable given that it appears the links will only be valid for 60 days. Any USPTO lurkers here, please do not force us to use Beta. The current TEAS system layout and functionality is far superior to this system. There are a few things that would actually improve our experience such as being able to set up templates for frequent clients and have it auto-fill in the attorney information and all of these things I think could be implemented easily without having to revamp the entire platform. None of these improvements were included, and the functionality is vastly worse. Also, as an active Patent Center user I can attest to what a disaster it has been and don't have high hopes for this Beta system getting any better. I really hope this system doesn't replace the old one anytime soon.  Trademark Paralegal

Annette P. Heller
Trademark/Copyright Attorney
TM Law & Associates
400 Chesterfield Center Ste 400
Chesterfield [St Louis] MO 63017

www.TrademarkAtty.com

314-469-2610 Fax 314-469-4850 In a message dated 7/9/2024 6:25:41 PM Central Daylight Time, TEAS at USPTO.GOV writes: 

Good evening Ms. Heller,

Thank you for your thoughtful comments on Trademark Center. This customer feedback helps us continue improving the platform.

As to your first and second points, in order to allow customers to start using Trademark Center as soon as possible, we rolled it out as a fully-functional beta version with some more advanced features coming down the road. Here are some things we’re working on that might address your concerns:

   - Custom user views that allow you to adjust the amount of help text you see, including hiding it entirely.
   - An application preview option that mirrors the final view.

We’re looking into your email issues. You should be able to enter whatever email address you want into the attorney information section of the form, even if you used the import function. You can also still specify additional correspondence email addresses the way you do in TEAS.

As to your last point, you can choose to use either Trademark Center or the TEAS initial application forms for the rest of the year. We do plan on retiring the TEAS initial application forms in early January, and over the next few years will gradually transition all forms from TEAS and TEAS International (TEASi) to Trademark Center. It has become increasingly more difficult to support the older technology underpinning TEAS. 

Again, thank you for your feedback. Would you be interested in meeting with our team to share more about your experience and feedback to make Trademark Center work better for you? If so, just let us know and we can set something up.

Regards,

TEAS Support Office

United States Patent & Trademark Office

Hours:  Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET 

Website: www.uspto.gov/teas 

From: Annette Heller <tmattorneyheller at aol.com> 
Sent: Thursday, July 4, 2024 2:41 PM
To: TEAS <TEAS at USPTO.GOV>
Subject: Trademark Center - Bad News for Experienced Attorneys

CAUTION: This email has originated from a source outside of USPTO. PLEASE CONSIDER THE SOURCE before responding, clicking on links, or opening attachments.

Just tried out the new Trademark Center for filing an application.  Here are my comments to be given to whomever needs to see it.

   - For experienced attorneys [I file between 100 to 200 applications a year] who file numerous applications, this system is too cumbersome and slow.  It is meant for the first time user or an inexperienced attorney not an attorney that files applications on a regular basis.

        2.  It does not allow for one to see the application in text format or to print it out for review before paying.

         3. As a registered attorney, I use one email for communications concerning my account and one exclusively for correspondence with the Trademark Office.  The system won't allow changes to choose primary email address.

           4. The new system should allow one who is a registered attorney to choose to use the current application system or the new system.  

I do NOT like using the new system!!!  It was developed by someone that is not experienced in filing applications.

Annette P. Heller
Trademark/Copyright Attorney
TM Law & Associates
400 Chesterfield Center Ste 400
Chesterfield [St Louis] MO 63017

www.TrademarkAtty.com

314-469-2610 Fax 314-469-4850

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