The term‘FDC’ when used in the context pf patents means final data capture. An allowed patent application goes through different phases within the PTO, before it is published. FDC is the final phase of publishing a patent.

After a patent application is allowed, it is sent to the Office of Patent Publication Allowed Files Area. From there it is forwarded to the Initial Data Capture, where the patent file is electronically captured. The patent file then reaches the File Maintenance Facility (FMF), and after all requirements have been met for issuance as a patent, the patent application is forwarded to the FDC stage. The FDC makes necessary updates to the e-file and puts the allowed patent application in an issue. On an average, an allowed application remains in the FDC process for five weeks