January 31, 2006
#06-05

Press Release, 06-05

Chicago Town Hall Meeting to Focus on Proposed Rule Changes to Improve Patent Examination

Washington, D.C. -- In a Town Hall Meeting, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will provide background information regarding proposed new rule changes to improve patent examination. The changes will make the patent examination process more effective and efficient by reducing the amount of rework by the USPTO and reducing the time it takes for the patent review process.

WHAT:
Town Hall Meeting

An overview of the challenges the USPTO faces and the reasons why the proposed new rules are necessary.

A question and answer session will follow immediately after presentations.

WHO:
John Doll, Commissioner for Patents

James Toupin, USPTO General Counsel

Patent attorneys, patent agents, independent inventors and members of the small business community

WHEN:
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Downtown campus of Northwestern University in the Arthur Rubloff Building, Thorne Auditorium, 375 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL.

For more information, please go to http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/townhall.htm .

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