Patent Application Locating and Monitoring (PALM) System

The PALM system is the automated data management system as an intranet used by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for the retrieval and/or online updating of the computer record of each patent application. The PALM System also maintains examiner time, activity, and docket records, and technical support staff backlog records. The PALM system is only for employees including patent examiners but not available for patent practitioners, inventors or general public.

Private Patent Application Information Retrieval (Private PAIR) System

The Private PAIR system provides USPTO customers like patent attorneys and patent agents, with a secure way to retrieve and download information regarding patent application status. Private PAIR provides secure real-time access to pending application status and history using digital certificates and the USPTO’s new single sign-on authentication method. Private PAIR is not available for general public.

Public Patent Application Information Retrieval (Public PAIR) System

The Public PAIR System provides public access to issued patents and published applications without requiring any login steps. If an application is published after 18 months from its initial filing date or its foreign priority date, anyone individual can access the Public PAIR System, check the status of an application, and download application documents, using application a serial number, a patent number, a publication number, etc. A patent application is available in Public PAIR only when the application is published or patented.