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 of Commerce Gary Locke (L) swears in David Kappos as his wife Leslie Kimball holds the Bible

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

>> Download ZIP file of Video [ ZIP/39.9MB]

>> Download ZIP file of Video with Captions [ ZIP/39.9MB]

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.

USPTO Experts Review Chat Questions

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 applicant

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.