MEDIA ADVISORY Contact: Brigid Quinn Maria V. Hernandez 703-305-8341 November 16, 2000 #00-70

USPTO HOSTS SATURDAY SEMINAR FOR INDEPENDENT INVENTORS The U. S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Office of Independent Inventors (OIIP), is presenting a one-day conference at Oklahoma State University on Saturday, November 18, 2000. This conference consists of various workshops for independent inventors and entrepreneurs, presenting information about the patent and trademark process, patent prosecution and the American Inventors Protection Act. Richard Apley, director of OIIP, and other USPTO representatives will address conferees, describing the initiatives the USPTO is currently undertaking to establish new lines of communication, education and support systems for inventors/entrepreneurs. In March of last year, the USPTO opened a new office aimed at meeting the special needs of independent inventors. OIIP establishes new mechanisms to better disseminate information about the patent and trademark processes and fosters regular communication between the USPTO and independent inventors. OIIP has a web site that offers educational and outreach programs for independent inventors, covering all aspects of the patent and trademark process, including how to file an application and what’s patentable. The link for the web site is http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/iip/index.html. WHAT: Saturday Seminar WHEN: Saturday, November 18, 2000 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. WHERE: Oklahoma Inventor's Assistance Service Oklahoma State University 395 Cordell South Stillwater, OK 74078-8015 For additional information visit http://techweb.ceat.okstate.edu/ias or call 405-744-8727. # # #