E-signature collection for examination approvals

Purpose

1.1. Automate e-signature collection requests, reminders, and archiving for patent examination approvals.
1.2. Streamline examiner and applicant approval of examination reports, communications, and legal documents.
1.3. Reduce paper-based/manual signature workflow, providing audit-trails and compliance automation.
1.4. Integration with patent office document systems and secure digital records management.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. New examination report auto-generated or uploaded.
2.2. Approval request status change in patent workflow management systems.
2.3. Manual examiner, applicant, or admin initiation for signature.
2.4. Receipt of third-party subject-matter documentation requiring review and digital signature.
2.5. Scheduled automation event (e.g., monthly batch signing for overdue items).

Platform Variants

3.1. DocuSign
• Feature/Setting: Envelope API; automate sending signature requests, recipient authentication.
3.2. Adobe Sign
• Feature/Setting: REST API; SAP/SharePoint connector, automate sequential approvals.
3.3. HelloSign
• Feature/Setting: Signature Request API; automate embedded signature flows.
3.4. PandaDoc
• Feature/Setting: Document Workflow API; automate template sending for batch signatures.
3.5. SignNow
• Feature/Setting: Document Group Signing API; automate multi-party exam report signing.
3.6. SignEasy
• Feature/Setting: Zapier integration; automate e-signature requests from form fills.
3.7. OneSpan Sign
• Feature/Setting: Transaction API; automate audit-trail and completion notifications.
3.8. RightSignature
• Feature/Setting: Callback URL; automate message upon examiner approval completed.
3.9. eversign
• Feature/Setting: Document Creation API; automate generation and dispatch of signature links.
3.10. Zoho Sign
• Feature/Setting: Bulk Send API; automate multi-recipient examination approval requests.
3.11. SignRequest
• Feature/Setting: REST API; automate signature workflow for patent-related docs.
3.12. Formstack Sign
• Feature/Setting: Document Workflow Automation; automate signed copy archiving in DMS.
3.13. Sertifi
• Feature/Setting: Agreement API; automate examiner and applicant co-signature chaining.
3.14. Secured Signing
• Feature/Setting: API for team signatures; automate role-based signing order.
3.15. Foxit eSign
• Feature/Setting: Automated Reminders; automate reminders for unsigned reports.
3.16. KeepSolid Sign
• Feature/Setting: Template Automation; automate pre-filled patent approval templates.
3.17. Signable
• Feature/Setting: Webhook Automation; automate downstream processes post-signature.
3.18. iLovePDF eSign
• Feature/Setting: API document upload; automate PDF report dispatch for signing.
3.19. NitroSign
• Feature/Setting: Automated Workflow API; automate document routing for co-approval.
3.20. Microsoft Power Automate
• Feature/Setting: E-signature connectors; automate patent approval flows with DMS integration.
3.21. Kofax SignDoc
• Feature/Setting: Workflow Engine; automate examiner signature process in compliance workflows.
3.22. JotForm Sign
• Feature/Setting: Automated signature collection from submitted forms.
3.23. Dropbox Sign (HelloSign)
• Feature/Setting: Bulk Send; automate batch approval requests for groups of examiners.

Benefits

4.1. Automates repetitive approval tasks, accelerating patent examination.
4.2. Reduces human error and manual bottlenecks with end-to-end examination workflow automation.
4.3. Enables compliant digital audit-trails and tamper-evident records automatically stored.
4.4. Automating reminders maximizes response rates and speeds up patent issuance cycles.
4.5. Automates integration with office systems, reducing cross-platform manual interventions.