Online filing of patent applications surpasses targets

The Patent and Trademark Office's online filing system for patent applications has exceeded agency goals for its first year, officials said Monday.

For the first time in PTO history, more new patent applications are being filed electronically each week than through the traditional paper process. More than 500,000 submissions have been filed using the Web program to date, according to a press release.

PTO Director Jon Dudas said the e-filing program represents "a great step forward in making IP protection easier and more efficient." The electronic system allows users to file applications and related documents virtually anytime and anywhere and filing fees are paid online as well.