March 15, 2012
Richard Maulsby or Paul Fucito
(571) 272-8400 or richard.maulsby@uspto.gov;
paul.fucito@uspto.gov or Jodi Talley
(847) 559-0846 or jtalley@autm.net
Press Release, 12-17
USPTO and AUTM Announce Joint Patent Examiners Training Initiative
Program aims to foster relationships between patent examiners and innovators/scientists
Washington – The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) today announced the launch of the USPTO/AUTM Patent Examiners Training Initiative, a joint program designed to improve the strength and quality of U.S. patents through specialized training between patent examiners, innovators and scientists.
“This announcement represents an important step in partnering with the petri dish of creativity and research: the American university,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, David Kappos. “We’re working hard to cultivate the work done there and get it to the world through the power of the U.S. patent.”
"We're pleased to partner with the USPTO on this initiative," says AUTM President Robin Rasor, CLP, RTTP. "For the USPTO, it will help to improve the strength and quality of patents and add support for a stronger patent system, and for universities, our discoveries and inventions will be better protected, which will lead to further scientific research and ultimately advance technology transfer and commercialization efforts."
Through the USPTO/AUTM Patent Examiners Training Initiative, AUTM members working in university technology transfer offices will identify key faculty members to participate in specialized training programs for patent examiners. The initiative will enhance USPTO’s Patent Examiner Technical Training Program (PETTP) by providing patent examiners with additional training opportunities from scientists and experts across various technology sectors.
The Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) is a nonprofit organization with an international membership of more than 3,000 technology managers and business executives. AUTM members — managers of intellectual property, one of the most active growth sectors of the global economy — come from more than 300 universities, research institutions and teaching hospitals as well as numerous businesses and government organizations. To learn more about AUTM visit www.autm.net.
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