By Godson Umejiego, Bureau Chief, The Americas
Last week, the USPTO Virtual Assistant was launched as a feature on select Patents webpages. This expansion from trademarks- to patents-related content continues USPTO’s efforts to enhance its customer service and increase access to its resources.
“The USPTO is continuously working to create a more productive and efficient customer experience,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO Kathi Vidal. “It is an essential part of reaching all innovators where they are and providing them with the information they need to protect their inventions and brands.”
The Virtual Assistant provides answers to common customer questions and makes it easier to find the status of your patent application. Simply type “What is the status of my application?” into the chat box and enter your application number when prompted. The tool will guide you to the most up-to-date information in Patent Center. Stated USPTO: “This expanded tool is another way we have leveraged machine learning to offer improved services, and we need your help to continue to refine it. If you interact with the Virtual Assistant, please give it a thumbs up or down to let us know how it’s doing. Over time, we’ll expand its knowledge base and improve its ability to recognize and answer your questions.”
