I received information from SyncIDS on their new, on-line service that provides patent practitioners with a prior art database for filing Information Disclosure Statements with the U.S. Patent Office. When new documents or matters are added to the database, SyncIDS automatically shows all of IDSs that need to be filed, and everything needed to file each IDS is automatically placed in a separate folder including a completed 1449 form and any non-U.S. PDFs
In a quick review of the site, it seems like the system is not totally ready for prime time with some broken links and incomplete information. For now, SyncIDS is divided in to four sections. (1) The IDS section automatically generates IDSs that need to be filed. (2) The client section allows you to view and modify information for each client such as the default filer and prior art categories for that client. (3) The matter section allows you to view and modify information for each matter such as the first inventor‟s name and any related matters. (4) The document section includes all of the prior art for a matter.
From SyncIDS:
In a nutshell, SyncIDS is a web based prior art database. There is nothing to install. All of the software and data is hosted and backed up by SyncIDS. When new documents or matters are added to the database, SyncIDS automatically shows all of the IDSs that need to be filed, and everything needed to file each IDS is automatically placed in a separate folder including a completed 1449 form and any non-U.S. PDFs. It reduces the time it takes to prepare an IDS and greatly reduces the chance for errors.
For example, let’s say you get an Office Action in matter 100. Simply open matter 100 in SyncIDS, enter those documents, and check them off as already cited for that matter. If there are U.S. patents or publications, you don’t even need to enter the issue/publication date or first inventor’s name. SyncIDS will do that for you. Assuming you have previously told SyncIDS what matters are related to each other (or you have categorized your matters and references by subject matter), SyncIDS will instantly generate an IDS for every other matter that needs one. You don’t even need to open up those other matters. No manually checking files or filling out forms.
If you’ve used SyncIDS, place your thoughts in the comments section below.
