The most common cause for this error is related to a problem with the computers file association. Re-associating the PDF file to the proper application (we suggest Adobe Reader) should correct this issue.  To do this complete the following steps:

1. Open your My Computer.
2. Select Tools and Folder Options.
3. Under the File Types tab, find the file extension .pdf in the window.
4. If the Opens with section at the bottom does not say Adobe Reader, press the Change button.

For WIPO applications published prior to 2004, enter the International Publication Number in the following format:  the prefix "WO" followed by the last 2 digits of the year followed by the 6 digit number (e.g. WO YY/DDDDDD; WO 03/001596).  For WIPO applications published in 2004 or later, enter the International Publication Number with the prefix "WO" the full 4 digit year followed by the 6 digit number (e.g. WO YYYY/DDDDDD;WO 2004/053346).  Entering the International Application Number currently does not work for downloading WIPO published applications (e.g. PCT/IT2003/000799).

The most common cause for this error is related to a problem with the computers file association. Re-associating the PDF file to the proper application (we suggest Adobe Reader) should correct this issue.  To do this complete the following steps:

1. Open your My Computer.
2. Select Tools and Folder Options.
3. Under the File Types tab, find the file extension .pdf in the window.
4. If the Opens with section at the bottom does not say Adobe Reader, press the Change button.
5. Select Adobe Reader from the list of Programs or browse to your Program Files folder to find the Adobe Reader program and select it.

1. You have incorrectly entered a patent number that does not exist.
   SOLUTION: Re-enter the patent number correctly.
   
   
2. The patent database section of the USPTO/EPO web sites are having problems.
   SOLUTION: Attempt to download the patent again or wait a couple of hours for the USPTO/EPO to fix the problem. If you are still having problems, you can then attempt to download the patent image during a "non-peak" usage time such as late evening or early morning.
   
   QUICK TEST: To see if the USPTO web site is having problems, simply go to http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html and perform a search for your patent number on the "Patent Number Search" page -- if you get an error message, the USPTO web site is having problems. The same test may be applied to the EPO web site at http://ep.espacenet.com/.
   
   
3. Your Internet service is not working.
   SOLUTION: Call your Internet Service Provider or Network Administrator.
   
   
4. You have firewall that is "blocking" PatentHunter from accessing the Internet.
   SOLUTION: Adjust the settings of the firewall software to allow PatentHunter to access the Internet. (PatentHunter uses the HTTP protocol on port 80.) If you have a software firewall on your computer (e.g. ZONEALARM, NORTON), you may need to “allow” PatentHunter to access the Internet by adjusting your settings. Contact your software vendor for more information on how to adjust these settings.
   
   
5. Make sure that the Patent Downloads folder has been created on your C: drive
   SOLUTION: Follow the steps below.
   1. Open the MY COMPUTER window (the MY COMPUTER icon is located on desktop and under the Start Menu).
   2. Double click the C: drive on your computer. Look for a folder titled "Patent Downloads". If this folder exists, skip to Section D below. If this folder does not exist, proceed to Step C.
   3. Right-click on the C: drive and create a new folder on the c: drive (select NEW then FOLDER). Name the folder: Patent Downloads
   4. Now open PatentHunter, select the EDIT menu and then PREFERENCES. In the Preferences window there is a place where you can choose the SAVE LOCATION.
   5. Click the FIND button and select the Patent Downloads folder you just created on your c: drive. Click OK on the Preferences window.

1. COPY PATENT FOLDERS FROM OLD. Go to your patent download directory (usually c:\Patent Downloads) on OLD. You should see a plurality of Patent Folders each named by the patent downloaded to each. Highlight all of these Patent Folders and then "copy" them to your clip board. You can also save these folders on a CD-ROM, server computer or other medium that you can access later from OLD.
   
   
2. PASTE PATENT FOLDERS TO NEW. Go to the patent download directory on NEW (usually c:\Patent Downloads), highlight this folder, right-click on the folder and then select Paste. It may take a few minutes while the patent documents are transferred. After the transfer is complete, you should see all of your Patent Folders listed on NEW under the patent download directory.
   
   
3. COPY PROJECT.CFG FROM OLD. Go to C:\Program Files\PatentWizard, LLC\PatentHunter2 on OLD and copy the file titled Project.cfg.
   
   
4. PASTE PROJECT.CFG TO NEW. Go to C:\Program Files\PatentWizard, LLC\PatentHunter2 on NEW and paste the file you copied from OLD into this directory thereby overwriting the existing Project.cfg. (Please note that if you have downloaded any patents with PatentHunter on NEW, then you will have to redownload these patents as the .cfg file is overwritten with this process).

START->SETTINGS->CONTROL PANEL->FOLDER OPTIONS->FILE TYPES

XP users go to
START->SETTINGS->CONTROL PANEL->APPEARANCE AND THEMES->FOLDER OPTIONS->FILE TYPES

The following different series of U.S. patents are being or in the past have been issued.  See USPTO Website for more information.

X-Series. These are the approximately 10,000 patents issued between 1790 and July 4, 1836. They were not originally numbered, but have since been assigned numbers in the sequence in which they were issued. The number should not be cited. When copies are ordered, the patentee's name and date of issue suffice for identification.

1836 Series. The mechanical, electrical, and chemical patents issued since 1836 and frequently designated as "utility" patents are included in this series. A citation by number only is understood to refer to this series. This series comprises the bulk of all U.S. patents issued. Some U.S. patents issued in 1861 bear two numbers but only the larger number should be cited.

Reissue Series. Reissue patents (MPEP § 1401) have been given a separate series of numbers preceded by "Re." In citing, the letters and the number must be given, e.g., Re. 1776. The date that it is effective as a reference is the effective date of the original patent application, not the filing date of the reissue application.Design reissue patents are numbered with the same number series as "utility" reissue patents. The letter prefix does, however, indicate them to be design reissues.

A.I. Series. From 1838 to 1861, patents covering an inventor's improvement on his or her own patented device were given a separate series of numbers preceded by "A.I." to indicate Additional Improvement. In citing, the letters and the number must be given, e.g., A.I. 113. About 300 such patents were issued.

Plant Patent Series. When the statutes were amended to provide for patenting certain types of plants (see MPEP Chapter 1600) these patents were given a separate series of numbers. In citing, the letters "P.P." and the number must be given, e.g., P.P. 13.

Design Patents. Patents for designs (see MPEP Chapter 1500) are issued under a separate series of numbers preceded by "D." In citing, the letter "D" and the number must be given, e.g., D. 140,000.

A U.S. patent search is a patent search by a patent searcher for granted United States patents and published United States patent applications.