When managing a patent portfolio, quick access to official documents such as office actions, amendments, and granted patents is essential. The TIP Tool™ simplifies this by allowing you to download prosecution documents directly from the Application details within the Portfolio Manager.
This guide explains where to find application documents, how to download them, and what to do if a PDF is missing.
Where to Access Application PDFs
Patent application documents in the TIP Tool™ are available through the Application Timeline, which syncs directly with the USPTO Patent Center (formerly Private PAIR).
To locate and download a document:
- Go to Portfolio Manager
- Select the filed application you want to review
- Scroll down to the “Patent Application PDF” or “Application Timeline” section
- You can download the pdf from there or if you are on timeline then expand the timeline
- Click on any event node (e.g., “Office Action,” “Filing Receipt,” “Amendment”)
- A link to the official USPTO PDF will appear
- Click the link to open or download the file
Types of Documents Available
You can download:
- Office Action notices (non-final/final)
- Filing receipts
- Amendments and responses
- Notice of Allowance
- Appeal briefs
- Granted patent PDFs
| 🛈 All documents reflect the official version pulled from the USPTO. The TIP Tool™ doesn’t alter content or formatting. |
What If the PDF Isn’t There?
There may be cases where a PDF link doesn’t appear in the timeline. This typically happens when:
- The application is unpublished and not synced via Private PAIR
- The USPTO hasn’t yet uploaded the document
- The application is still in draft or pre-filing stages (i.e., not yet submitted)
What You Can Do:
- Make sure the application is synced successfully
- Provide Private PAIR credentials (if unpublished) to enable secure retrieval
- If the application was just filed, wait 1–2 business days for the document to appear in the PTO system