PRESS RELEASE Contact: Jennifer Rankin Byrne or Ruth Nyblod Phone: (571) 272-8400 or Jennifer.rankin_byrne@uspto.gov Ruth.Nyblod@uspto.gov

February 20, 2008 #08-08

Nominees Sought for National Medal of Technology and Innovation Washington, D.C. - The Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking nominations for the nation's highest honor for technological achievement. The National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI) is presented each year by the President of the United States to America's leading innovators. USPTO has been delegated the authority to administer the NMTI program. The deadline for nominations is May 30, 2008. The nominations can be made for an individual, a team of up to four individuals, a company or a division of a company. The honorees are chosen for their outstanding contributions to the nation's economic, environmental and social well-being through the development and commercialization of technological products, processes and concepts; technological innovation; and development of the country's technological manpower. To learn more about nomination guidelines and to submit a nomination go to http://www.uspto.gov/nmti/nomination.html. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the NMTI program manager at 571-272-8600 or e-mail NMTI@uspto.gov. ###