FAQs

Accessing Questel

• How do I become a subscriber?
• How can I connect using Telnet?
• How can I connect over the Internet? 
• What should I do if QWEB freezes?

Searching

• How do I display a list of files on Questel?
• How do I format numbers?
• How can I order documents?
• How can I print and save files on QWEB?
• How can I display images in Imagination 2?
• What is FamPat?
• What is MMS?

About DigiPat

Ordering

• How can I order documents from DigiPat?
• What are my options for document format and delivery?

Pricing

• Does DigiPat have any current specials for File Histories?
• What are my billing options?

Services

• Files History: What File Histories are available from DigiPat?
• Certifications: What is a Certified Document from the United States Patent & Trademark Office?
• What Certified Documents are available from DigiPat?
• Additional Services: What patent services does DigiPat provide that are not offered by Questel?

About PatentExaminer

• Why does the PDF document appear in a different window instead of on the right hand side of the screen?

About PatLegal

• I am not currently a Questel customer.  Can I still use PatLegal Monitor?
• If I want to only monitor new family members and their Legal Status, do I have to enter all the existing family members?
• If I am monitoring a patent number in “Family and INPADOC Legal Status” and a new family member appears, will its legal status automatically be monitored?
• How does the pricing work?
• Do you offer volume discounts or subscription pricing?
• How do I cancel a monitored patent?

Accessing Questel

How do I become a subscriber?

Please click here to link to our Become a User Webpage for your best convenience.

How can I connect using Telnet?

The Telnet addresses for Questel are:
     questel.questel.fr

How can I connect over the Internet?

The Internet addresses for QWEB, Questel's Internet interface, are:
http://www.questel.com/prodsandservices/qweb.htm
http://www.qweb.questel.fr

What should I do if QWEB freezes?

If QWEB freezes, click on the send break icon located at the bottom of the QWEB screen. You may then click on logoff, located at the top right hand corner of the QWEB toolbar. Close your browser, reopen it then reconnect to Questel. When you log back on you will be asked if you want to continue your search Y/N? Enter Y for yes, then enter "HIS" and you will pick up your search where it was when you disconnected.

How do I format numbers?

• Searching Patent Publication Numbers

If the country is one that numbers its documents as a continuous series, the format is:
               CCNNNNNNN where CC = country code and N = digit e.g. US4712345/PN.

If the country is one that restarts its number series each year, the format is:
               CCYYYYNNNNN where CC = country code, YY = 2 last digits of a year and N = digit
               e.g. SE8700145/PN or NO7905438/PN.

If the number is less than five digits, fill the space after the year with zeroes to build a total of nine characters.

Post year 2000 - total of 11 characters, use the 4-digit year. e.g. WO200043523

• Searching Application and Priority Numbers

Both priority (PR) and application (AP) numbers, may be searched using the format:
              YYYYCC-NNNNNNN where YYYY = year, CC = country code, NNNNNNN = serial number
              e.g. 1986US-0901733/AP/PR

Please note that Japanese (JP) and German (DE) numbers are sometimes the exceptions to the rule. The patent publication numbers may be eight digits, and the application/priority numbers may be longer than six digits.

How can I order documents?

From a single online command, you can receive a PDF copy, of one or more patents, directly to your email box.
To do this, enter: OR EPO XPN [Publication Number list]

The publication numbers are entered in the Questel standard format:
CCNNNNNNN (2-character country code + seven-digit publication number. If necessary, backfill with hyphens to make to 7 characters.

For EP publications, when kind code is A3, A4, B1, or B2, attach code to the patent number.
EXAMPLES:
A3 Search Report: EP1303142A3
A4 Supplemental Search Report: EP1305164A4
B1 Granted Patent: EP-929467B1
B2 Patent After Modification: EP-839080B2

For DE publications, when the kind code has first character of B or C, attach code to the patent number.
EXAMPLES:
B Published Patent Application: DE1588442B
C Published Patent: DE19918053C

For WO publications, when the kind code is A3, attach code to the patent number.
EXAMPLE:
A3 Subsequent Publication of International Search Report: WO200269126A3

For US Design publications, when insert a D after the country code and before the number.
EXAMPLE:
Design Patents: USD475498

There is a limit of 10 patents per order so that the average size of files sent is not too large for electronic mailboxes.

How can I print and save files on QWEB?

To export your entire search session, with images if displayed, after you have logged off from the system:
Click on the 'EXPORT' command
Choose a file name
Select from list of options
Right click on the hypertext link
Select 'Save Target As', you may then select directory and folder you on your pc to which you would like the document saved.

How can I display images in Imagination 2?

If using a telnet connection, you must select "I" from the main menu in order for to download images using Imagination. If the image is large, it may take up to 2 minutes depending on connection protocols and speeds. If using the Questel Internet connection, there is no need to make a selection, Imagination is scripted to access QO Images.

What are my options for document format and delivery?

DigiPat delivers complete intellectual property solutions by combining comprehensive services with convenient format and delivery options to suit each client’s individual needs.

Paper
DigiPat’s state of the art print facility allows us to deliver high quality paper copies of your requested documents and gives us the capabilities to handle the largest print jobs in a timely manner. We always use recycled paper and each order is neatly organized with the contents of the order included in the package.

PDF
PDF (Adobe Acrobat) is a reliable format for electronic document exchange that preserves document integrity so files can be viewed, printed, and saved. PDF documents are ideal for laptop computers, sharing over office networks, and archive storage.

Searchable PDF
Character recognition software is used on a PDF file to allow the text and images to be searched and copied. Searchable files are perfect when you need to quickly locate specific information in a large document, and are also ideal for complex litigation involving multiple files. Documents in 16 languages may be converted and delivered in this format.

Download
At DigiPat.com our clients have the ability to place orders and download documents at their convenience. Download documents one at a time or download multiple items all at once through an easy to use zip file.

CD-ROM
Since introducing File Histories on CD-ROM to the Intellectual Property community, DigiPat remains a leader in the supply of IP documents on CD. Each CD is labeled with a client or matter number, and lists all the documents contained on the CD for easy reference.

Shipping
DigiPat offers the following shipping options:
• UPS Overnight
• UPS 2 Day
• UPS 3 Day
• UPS Ground
Same day courier service is available for local clients in DC, VA, and MD.

Does DigiPat have any current specials for File Histories?

Yes, right now when you order a paper copy of any file history from DigiPat, we will provide you with a free electronic copy of the document in PDF format. You can receive your free PDF by email or download so that you can benefit

from quick access to an electronic copy of your file while we prepare and ship your paper copy. This special is good for the file’s cited patent references and publications as well!

What are my billing options?

To meet the varied needs of our clients, DigiPat offers several billing/payment options.

Questel Account Invoicing
If you provide DigiPat with your Questel account number at the time of placing the order, we can have your orders billed on your Questel monthly invoice.

Project Invoicing
With the fulfillment of each order, a detailed invoice is generated and delivered with the order. Payment can be made via check, wire-transfer or major credit card.

Monthly Invoicing
For clients who maintain active accounts, DigiPat will generate monthly invoices reflecting all of their orders for all users during the billing period. Each order is individually detailed, complete with the client, matter, and reference numbers given.

Services

Files History: What File Histories are available from DigiPat?

US Files
DigiPat’s has one of the largest collections of stored US File Histories. Files from our database are often available the same day. US files that are not in our database are usually available from the USPTO with a usual turnaround of 2 days. Files that are with examiners or that are being held in the Certification branch of the USPTO will often take additional time to retrieve.
Files for unpublished pending applications or abandoned files that are not cited on a published patent document will require a Power to Inspect (PTI) form to show authorization to access the file. Download PTI Form.

Foreign Files
DigiPat has access to file histories from around the world through our international alliances. We are able to obtain files from European countries, Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Worldwide. Contact us to determine exact availability, cost, and estimated time to obtain.

Certifications: What is a Certified Document from the United States Patent & Trademark Office?

A certified document contains a certification statement, a seal, and an authorized signature that certifies the document is an official USPTO copy. Certified documents delivered over the Internet are provided with an electronic certification statement. An electronic statement is embedded in the document and is digitally signed.

Certified documents delivered on paper are bound with a paper certification statement containing a ribbon and seal. A certified document shipped on CDROM may offer a choice of a paper certification statement attached to the CDROM or an electronic certification statement.

DigiPat can obtain the following documents that are officially certified by the United States Patent & Trademark Office.
• Patents
• Published Applications
• File Histories
• Applications as Filed
• Trademark Documents
• Assignments

Turnaround times for certified documents vary by document from 7-10 days to 4-6 weeks. Please contact us for estimated times on the certified documents that you need.

Additional Services: What patent services does DigiPat provide that are not offered by Questel?

Printed Patent documents
DigiPat brings a state of the art print facility to the Questel IP umbrella. Contact DigiPat when you need paper copies of Patents & Published applications from the US and around the world. DigiPat can save you time and money by printing your lists of patent documents and ship them out to you, often the same day.

Trademarks
An ever-increasing number of attorneys, paralegals, and product developers turn to Digipat for reliable trademark documents. In addition to being a leader in the supply of Trademark File Histories, we provide copies of U.S.

Research at the USPTO
When it comes to research, our strength is our people. The research experts at DigiPat have extensive experience working with the USPTO and use the most comprehensive database and manual search techniques to obtain complete and accurate results. We work quickly and efficiently in the completion of each project and can deliver the results in both paper and PDF formats. Some of the research services we provide are searches by the following:
Title, Inventor, Key Word, Assignment, Continuity, Trademark, Patent Family, and Maintenance Fee

About PatLegal

I am not currently a Questel customer.  Can I still use PatLegal Monitor?

Yes.  Just enter you contact and billing information and we will send you an invoice for the service.

If I want to only monitor new family members and their Legal Status, do I have to enter all the existing family members?

No –only enter one number from the patent family.  However if you want to monitor their legal status in particular countries, i.e. US PAIR, German Patent Office, etc., then you have to enter these numbers separately.

If I am monitoring a patent number in “Family and INPADOC Legal Status” and a new family member appears, will its legal status automatically be monitored?

Yes but only for those being monitored in “Family and INPADOC Legal Status”.  If a new US family member is included in the family then this will automatically be monitored in the Legal Status part but will not be automatically monitored in PAIR.  If you want to monitor the US family member in US PAIR, then you have to manually add this number to the selection.

How does the pricing work?

You will be invoice for each number monitored, i.e. entered in the order box.

How do I cancel a monitored patent?

In the coming months we will have an administration page in which you cancel your monitored patents, but until this is available, just send an email to Questel Customer Support (help@questel.com) and they will cancel your order.  Please keep in mind that because of the low price of the service, there is no refund policy for monitored patents.

Do you offer volume discounts or subscription pricing?

Yes.  Please contact your local Questel representative for information.