On April 18, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will begin issuing electronic patent grants (eGrants) rather than paper patents.

Part of this changeover involves modifying the Issue Fee Transmittal form (PTOL-85B) and its web-based version. The form no longer allows for advance orders of patent copies, because patents may be printed directly from Patent Center when issued. Advance orders for copies of patents issuing on or after April 18 will not be processed.

Additionally, since eGrants may be issued shortly after paying the issue fee and sooner than applicants are accustomed to, the PTOL-85B form includes a reminder to file any continuing application prior to issue-fee payment so as not to jeopardize copendency. The newly modified form can be found here