Office of the General Counsel
The USPTO Office of the General Counsel (OGC) plays a vital role in the USPTO’s mission to issue patents and trademarks. It does so by providing timely and innovative legal advice which promotes innovation and creativity.
The General Counsel -- Bernard J. Knight, Jr. -- serves as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO’s principal legal advisor. Moreover, Mr. Knight manages OGC which has approximately 110 employees and consists of three legal offices:
- Office of the Solicitor - represents USPTO in intellectual property matters
- Office of General Law - represents USPTO in matters other than intellectual property
- Office of Enrollment and Discipline (OED) - oversees registration and regulation of patent attorneys and agents to practice before the USPTO
Finally, Mr. Knight also participates at numerous events throughout the country and abroad to disseminate the latest legal issues affecting the issuance of patents and trademarks, e.g., America Invents Act.
General Counsel's Speaking Engagements
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
Protection of Confidentiality in IP Advice – National and International Remedies
June 26-28, 2013, Paris, France - Global IP Dialog
Strategic Initiatives in USPTO to Optimize Patent Practice in a Global Marketplace
June 17, 2013, Palo Alto, CA - McDermott, Will, & Emery LLP IP Summit
IP Litigation Symposium
June 13, 2013, Chicago, IL - The Center for American and International Law
Advanced Practice under the America Invents Act
April 12, 2013 Dallas, TX - SMU Law School Annual IP Symposium
The Development of IP Law — The USPTO’s Positions in Supreme Court and Federal Circuit Cases and Implementation of America Invents Act Regulations
March 22, 2013, Dallas, TX - Corporate IP Counsel Forum
The America Invents Act – USPTO Views on Adapting to the New Legislative Landscape and the Critical Impact of IP on GDP and Job Growth
March 20, 2013, New York, NY - Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association
The Leahy Smith America Invents Act
March 12, 2013, Cleveland, OH - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Law
Patent Small Claims: The Next Big Idea
February 28, 2013, Chicago, IL - New York University (Henry Kaufman Management Center)
USPTO Roundtable on Enhancement of Quality of Software-Related Patents
February 27, 2013 – New York City, NY
Please click here for an all-inclusive list of speaking engagements by year.
Positions of the USPTO
- United States Department of Justice and United States Patent & Trademark Office Policy Statement on Remedies for Standards-Essential Patents Subject to Voluntary F/RAND Commitments
- The USPTO Position on Fair Use of Copies of Non-Patent Literature Made in Patent Examination
- General Counsel Explanation of Fee Setting Authorities and Procedures
Serving a Complaint
In order to serve a complaint, summons or Notice of Appeal on the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") or on the Director of the USPTO or an employee in his or her official capacity you must serve as follows:
A. Any summons or complaint to be served in person or by registered or certified mail or as otherwise authorized by law on the Office to:
Office of the General Counsel
United States Patent and Trademark Office
P.O. Box 1450 Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
B. Service by hand should be made during business hours to:
Office of the General Counsel
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Madison Building East, Room 10B20
600 Dulany Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
The Office of the General Counsel may be reached by telephone at (571) 272-7000 during business hours.
