MEDIA ADVISORY
                                                  96-20
CONTACT:  Richard Maulsby
          Lisa-Joy Zgorski
          (703)305-8341

                VALENTI AND CASE JOIN THE PTO
           TO INSPIRE INVENTIVE AND CREATIVE KIDS
                              
ARLINGTON, VA -- Inventive and creative kids will hear
wisdom and glean insights from several prominent leaders in
the intellectual property community during a U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office (PTO) conference for educators.

Event:    National Creative and Inventive Thinking
Conference

Date:          Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 17,
18, and 19, 1996

Place:         Washington Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey
Avenue, NW (between E/F Sts., NW)

Sponsors:      U.S. Department of Commerce's Patent and
Trademark Office; and
          the National Inventive Thinking Association

Highlights:    Keynote address by Stephen Case, CEO of
America On-Line; introduction and
          remarks by Bruce A. Lehman, Assistant Secretary of
Commerce and
          Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks on
Thursday, October 17 at 6:30 p.m.

          Keynote speech and student award presentations by
Jack Valenti, President,
          Motion Picture Association of America with Mary
Beth Peters, Register of
          Copyrights and Larry Goffney, PTO Deputy
Commissioner, on Friday,
          October 18 at 6:30 p.m.

"I find it truly inspiring to see the youth of today
utilizing their innovative minds to create a better future
for all us all.  I congratulate those who we will honor and
applaud each and every participant in this exciting
competition," remarked Valenti, in anticipation of tomorrow
evening's festivities, "Too often these days the focus on
the state of our children and our future is a negative one.
Well, this program serves to remind us all that the future
of this great nation is bright and that young people, like
those who will be recognized, will provide us with a vibrant
and positive tomorrow."  "I am proud that the U.S. Patent
and Trademark Office is recognizing the great and diverse
contributions of young inventors and creators," added
Lehman, "these talented kids will indeed build a bright
future."

October 17, 1996                   ###