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Trademark Public Advisory Committee Meets on August 28

A meeting of the Trademark Public Advisory Committee will be held on August 28 at USPTO's Headquarters, Madison South Auditorium, Concourse Level, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA . The public may participate from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. either in person or by webcast. Click here for public meeting agenda and to join in webcast.


Secretary Locke Conducts Swearing-In Ceremony for USPTO Director David Kappos

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on Thursday conducted a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony for Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO David Kappos. In his remarks before thousands of employees on the USPTO campus, Secretary Locke said “David is taking on a big job... Promoting and protecting U.S. inventions, innovation and creativity directly affects our nation‘s welfare and prosperity.”

Under Secretary Kappos added, “I look forward to…working with you to advance [the USPTO’s] mission on behalf of the American people.”

>> To read Under Secretary Kappos's remarks, Click here


Practitioners Not Required to Pay $118 Annual Practitioner Maintenance Fee for FY 2009

The USPTO is not requiring practitioners to pay the $118 annual practitioner maintenance fee for FY 2009. Practitioners who have voluntarily paid this fee have been refunded. In the coming months, the USPTO will be considering whether to proceed with this fee requirement in FY 2010. Practitioners will be provided ample notice should the USPTO decide to collect this fee.


Transcript of July 23, 2009 on-line chat available

This is the transcript of the on-line chat held Thursday July 23, 2009. This is an edited version of the actual transcript. Where you see "EDITED ANSWER", the original on-line chat answer has been modified to ensure completeness of the answer provided by USPTO.

Please note that not all questions are answered during the chat, we try to select the questions that appeal to the overall audience.

Our next chat is scheduled for September 16, from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Check our web site in September for confirmation of the date and time.


Announcing beta.uspto.gov

>> USPTO Beta Version
The USPTO is pleased to announce the beta test release of its new Web site will remain open for an additional period of about six weeks. The new site has been redesigned to improve the look and feel, as well as to enhance the user experience with improved navigation. The USPTO’s goal is to make the Web site technologically up-to-date, user-friendly, and responsive to customer feedback.

>> Click here for full Story


USPTO Takes Another Step Closer to Full Electronic Patent Application Processing

e-Office Action provides faster, more efficient notification to patent applicants


The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced the implementation of the e-Office Action program following a successful pilot project. Under the program, patent applicants receive an e-mail notification of office communications instead of paper mailings. Click here for more information.


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>> More news and notices…

Detailed Information about the Bilski Case

The e-Office Action program

Patent Prosecution Highway

2008 Performance and Accountability Report

National Medal of Technology and Innovation

Inspiring Invention TV Spot - Suction Tires

STOP Fakes.gov - Smallbusiness intellectual property help from the U S Patent & Trademark Office

Patents - First-Action Interview Pilot Program

Final Rules on Claims and Continuations - Rules improving the efficiency and effectiveness of patent examination

Accelerated Examination (Patent Applications) Final Disposition within 12 month

Patents Peer Reviewed Prior Art Pilot

Strategic Plan 2007-2012

More news and notices

Kids" Pages

Department of Commerce


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