February 04, 2003
#03-05
President's '04 Budget Request Underscores USPTO's Role in Promoting Economic Growth
PRESIDENT’S ’04 BUDGET REQUEST UNDERSCORES USPTO’S ROLE IN PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH
PRESS RELEASE
Resources Increased; Fee Diversion Substantially Reduced
The President’s $1.404 billion FY 2004 budget request
for USPTO provides the agency with resources necessary to
continue its transformation to a quality-focused, highly
productive, market-driven organization. The President’s
FY 2004 budget request continues past increases for
USPTO’s spending level with a 5% increase over the FY
2003 request, and returns to USPTO a greater share of its
revenue than last year’s request. Revenues to support
this increase will be generated by USPTO fees proposed by the
President.
“The President has reduced the annual practice of
‘fee diversion’ by nearly 50 percent in the
Administration’s Fiscal Year 2004 Budget,” noted
Under Secretary James E. Rogan. “This bold step is being
taken as part of Secretary Evans’ efforts to create the
conditions for economic growth and continued technological
leadership by working to eliminate the practice of using USPTO
revenues for unrelated federal programs. For over 200 years,
the USPTO has provided patent and trademark protection to
inventors and businesses. This protection enables innovation in
science and technology that leads to economic growth.”
The President’s proposed FY 2004 budget and fee package
finance the second year of USPTO’s 21st Century Strategic
Plan, allowing the agency to ensure quality, simplify processes
and improve productivity by:
