What defines the accepted date and time of filing for a patent?

The accepted date and time of filing for a patent application is determined by the date of successful transmission completion. This means that once the application has been successfully transmitted to the patent office, the official filing date is established as the date on which the transmission was completed. This is particularly relevant in the context of electronic filings, where the completion of the electronic submission establishes the time of filing.

For a paper application, the date stamped by the patent office upon receipt of the application typically serves as the official filing date. However, for electronic submissions, the importance of successful transmission completion is emphasized to ensure clarity on when the application is considered officially filed.

The other options do not accurately reflect how the filing date is determined. The date the application is submitted does not account for whether the transmission was successful or completed. The date the patent office opens does not relate to the actual filing process, especially in instances of electronic submissions that can occur 24/7. Lastly, the date of payment relates to the fee associated with filing but does not establish the filing date itself; it is merely a requirement that may need to be fulfilled around the time of filing.