PTO Announces TDR System for Online Access to Pending Application Files

In a significant development for TTAB practitioners, the USPTO is about to launch its TDR (Trademark Document Retrieval) system, which will allow online access to trademark application files. Initially, users will be able to access all pending applications and all Madrid filings. Access to files of issued registrations will follow.


According to the PTO website:

"... the USPTO is pleased to highlight here the up-coming deployment of Trademark Document Retrieval (TDR). TDR will be accessible by clicking on "View Documents," under the heading of Trademarks on the front page of the USPTO web site.

"Through TDR, a user will be able to view and download any or all documents contained in the electronic file wrapper of all pending Trademark applications, as well as many Trademark Registrations. When TDR is first deployed, a user will be able to access all pending applications and all Madrid Protocol filings, as well as many Trademark Registrations via TDR. The USPTO is in the process of converting all remaining Registrations into a digital format so as to permit future TDR access. This conversion process is expected to take several years.

"Downloads will be converted into PDF format, for viewing with any PDF viewer."

A formal PTO announcement of the launching of the TDR system is expected very soon.