12th Annual Independent Inventors Conference Comes to Raleigh, NC (11Sep2007)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at September 24, 2007 10:13 PM

12th Annual Independent Inventors Conference Comes to Raleigh, NC  (11Sep2007)

MEDIA ADVISORY Contact: Jennifer Rankin Byrne or Ruth Nyblod (571) 272-8400 or Jennifer.Rankin_Byrne@uspto.gov; ruth.nyblod@uspto.gov

USPTO, U.S. Chamber Team with U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer to Educate Oregon Businesses about the Risks of Counterfeiting and Piracy (11Sep2007)

USPTO, U.S. Chamber Team with U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer to Educate Oregon Businesses about the Risks of Counterfeiting and Piracy and the Importance of Intellectual Property Protection  (11Sep2007)

MEDIA ADVISORY Contact: Jennifer Rankin Byrne or Ruth Nyblod (571) 272-8400 or Jennifer.Rankin_Byrne@uspto.gov; ruth.nyblod@uspto.gov

A Victory for Inventors

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at July 4, 2007 12:45 PM

A Victory for Inventors
Disciplinary Action Affirmed by CAFC

Recently the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC), affirmed disciplinary action taken by the USPTO against a registered patent attorney, who became involved in the activities of one invention promotion company and represented more than one thousand inventors. This important decision lends critical support to the USPTO's efforts to protect unsuspecting inventors from unscrupulous invention promoters. If you have questions please call Harry Moatz, Director of the Office of Enrollment and Discipline, 571-272-6069.

The USPTO urges all independent inventors to read the court's decision

USPTO, U.S. Chamber Team with NC Secretary of State to Educate Local Businesses about the Risks of Counterfeiting and Piracy and the Importance of Intellectual Property Protection (08Jun2007)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at June 10, 2007 08:21 PM

MEDIA ADVISORY Contact: Jennifer Rankin Byrne (571) 272-8400 or Jennifer.Rankin_Byrne@uspto.gov

June 08, 2007 #07-23

USPTO CELEBRATES A DECADE OF TELEWORK (04June07)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at June 4, 2007 09:38 PM

PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Jennifer Rankin Byrne or
Ruth Nyblod
(571) 272-8400 or
jennifer.rankin_byrne@uspto.gov
ruth.nyblod@uspto.gov

USPTO CELEBRATES A DECADE OF TELEWORK

The Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today celebrated the ten-year anniversary of its Trademark Work at Home program, the agency's first telework initiative. Based on this successful model, the USPTO expanded its telework offerings to include business units across the agency, with more than 3,000 of the USPTO's approximately 8,500 employees currently participating in some form of telework. Over the past decade, USPTO has received accolades as a leader in the federal government for its successful and innovative telework programs.

The Trademark Work at Home program started as a small pilot project, with 18 trademark examining attorneys working from home three days per week and sharing office space with other program participants two days a week. The hope was that current technology could be leveraged to allow employees to enjoy the benefits of working remotely, while still meeting the same qualitative and quantitative goals as their colleagues who worked in the office five days a week.

After the Trademark Work at Home pilot proved to be successful, the USPTO ultimately grew its telework initiative to include patent examiners and employees in other business units throughout the agency. The ability to telework continues to gain popularity among USPTO employees. Among trademark examining attorneys, 85% of those who are eligible choose to telework. In the patents organization, the USPTO has a goal that 3,000 patent examiners will be teleworking by 2011.

Jon Dudas, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, said, "Today we celebrate the anniversary of our Trademark Work at Home Program, which helped to demonstrate how beneficial the practice of telework could be to our entire agency. Telework programs are critical to our strategic vision, and we look forward to working with the Office of Personnel Management and Congress to expand these programs to eventually allow for a nationwide work force."

Telework offers countless benefits to the USPTO, its employees and the environment, including:

• Employee Quality of Life: Allowing employees to telework gives them more time with their loved ones and less time on the road. USPTO employees report that the ability to telework helps them have a better balance between their professional and personal lives.


• Employee Retention: The USPTO has seen that offering employees the ability to telework helps with employee retention, allowing the agency to retain highly qualified employees, saving hiring and training costs and contributing to a high quality of work.


• Maximizing Office Space: As more USPTO employees choose to telework, more office space is made available. This, in turn, gives the agency more flexibility to hire more staff without having to acquire and pay for additional space.


• Reducing Emissions: Telework can mean a significant reduction in auto emissions. For example, among the nearly 950 trademark examining attorneys and patent examiners working remotely four days a week, auto emissions are reduced up to 5,000 tons per year*, compared to if they drove to the office every day.

Rather than taking a “one size fits all” approach, the USPTO has more than a dozen telework programs to address the specific needs of its business units and employees. All of these programs follow procedure set forth in the USPTO Enterprise-wide Telework Policy and are overseen by an agency-wide telework coordinator.

USPTO has received a number of awards for its Trademark Work at Home program. These awards include the 2007 Work-Life Innovative Excellence Award presented by the Alliance for Work-Life Progress, the Telework Program with Maximum Impact on Government for 2006 by the Telework Exchange Tele-Vision Awards; the Telework in the Federal Government Leadership Award for 2004; and several others.

USPTO to Hold Small Business Seminar in Raleigh June 13 (19May2007)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at May 19, 2007 10:00 AM

USPTO to Hold Small Business Seminar in Raleigh June 13 (19May2007)

U.S. Chamber and North Carolina Co-Sponsoring

The USPTO is joining forces with the United States Chamber of Commerce and the state of North Carolina to hold a free conference on counterfeiting and piracy on June 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held at the McKinnon Center on the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Jon Dudas, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property will speak along with North Carolina Secretary of State, Elaine Marshall and Ron Calia, Senior Manager Global Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Initiative, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Counterfeiting and piracy cost the U.S. economy between $200 and $250 billion per year in lost sales. It is responsible for the loss of 750,000 American jobs and poses a real threat to health and safety. The trade in illicit goods steals North Carolina jobs, North Carolina tax dollars, and threatens the lives of North Carolina citizens. Seminar attendees will learn what state and government resources are available to protect brands, how they can work with law enforcement to safeguard intellectual property, how to protect the supply chain here and abroad, and what the USPTO and Chamber are doing to defend American business as a whole.

Other speakers on the agenda include: Brian Monks, Vice President, Anti-Counterfeiting Operations, Underwriters Laboratorie,Christina Garner, Associate Licensing Counsel, NASCAR and Del Richburg, Supervisory Special Agent, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Charlotte Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement

There is no charge for the seminar and lunch will be provided. Registration is required.

>> Register now at http://ncsoskb.com (Use REGISTRATION CODE: June 13)

Modern Marvels Invent Now Winner Announced

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at May 15, 2007 12:03 PM

Modern Marvels Invent Now Winner Announced

Michael Sykes, who invented an environmentally friendly, economical and efficient system for building houses, has been selected as the Grand Prize Winner in the annual Modern Marvels Invent Now Challenge. The Challenge, a national competition in search of America’s next great inventor is co-sponsored by the History Channel, the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Sykes was one of five finalists and will receive $25,000. In addition, his invention, the Enertia Building System, will be featured along with the other four finalists during Modern Marvels Invent Now Week on the History Channel May 15-17. Check local listings for times.

In conjunction with this year’s challenge, the USPTO and the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation hosted a two day independent inventors conference at the New York Academy of Sciences in Manhattan. The conference featured presentations by top USPTO officials, successful inventors and entrepreneurs.

Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Names Margaret J.A. Peterlin Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (11May2007)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at May 11, 2007 11:45 AM

Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez has appointed Margaret J.A. Peterlin to serve as Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the Commerce Department’s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

“Margaret is a tremendous asset to the USPTO. With an impressive track record of success across several disciplines, she has established herself as a proven leader, strategic legal thinker, and knowledgeable legislative tactician,” said Jon Dudas, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO.  “Margaret will apply these skills to USPTO's challenges, which she well understands from her time representing the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives.  Margaret's leadership will be instrumental in the USPTO's efforts to work with applicants to enhance the quality of their applications, process patents and trademarks in a timely manner, and operate in a way that motivates our employees and inspires our international partners.”

Before joining the USPTO, Ms. Peterlin was Counsel for Legal Policy and National Security Advisor for the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, J. Dennis Hastert.   In this role, she advised the Speaker, House and Senate leadership, and senior staff on legislative policy and strategy, including judiciary issues such as intellectual property protection, and international relations issues. 

She previously was General Counsel to Richard Armey, Majority Leader of the U.S. House.   She clerked on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for Judge Jerry E. Smith.  Ms. Peterlin also served as an Officer in the U.S. Navy for four years, working in the communications field.

A native of Daleville, Alabama, Ms. Peterlin holds a bachelor of arts from the College of the Holy Cross.  She earned a legal degree cum laude from the University of Chicago, where she was the founding Editor in Chief of The Chicago Journal of International Law.   She is a member of the New York State Bar.

New York Regional Independent Inventors Conference to be Held May 12 and 13 (13APR2007)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at April 14, 2007 03:24 PM

New York Regional Independent Inventors Conference to be Held May 12 and 13

Top officials from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, successful inventors and entrepreneurs will headline the agency's New York Regional Independent Inventors Conference.  The event will be held May 12-13 at the New York Academy of Sciences in New York City. 

Registration is now open for this two-day event. The registration fee of $100 per person includes all sessions and presentations, morning and afternoon refreshments and lunch for both days.

For additional information about this event, call the Inventors Assistance Program at 571-272-8850.

To register by phone call the National Inventors Hall of Fame at 330-849-6903. To register on-line go to: http://www.invent.org/iic/

The USPTO.GOV website and all USPTO E-Business systems will be inaccessible between 10 PM and 12 Midnight ET on Saturday, 14 April 2007.

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at April 11, 2007 07:56 PM

The following notice was posted on the USPTO.GOV website on April 11, 2007:

The USPTO.GOV website and all USPTO E-Business systems will be inaccessible between 10 PM and 12 Midnight ET on Saturday, 14 April 2007.

USPTO Launches National Campaign to Inspire Young Inventors (10APR2007)

USPTO Launches National Campaign to Inspire Young Inventors (10APR2007)

The United States Patent and Trademark Office, together with the Advertising Council and the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation (NIHFF), today launched a national, multimedia public service advertising (PSA) campaign to engage a new generation of children in innovation. The campaign seeks to make inventing and developing new ideas part of American children's lives. The PSAs, which can be viewed online, are being distributed to 28,000 media stations nationwide this week. All of the new PSAs will air and run in advertising time and space donated by the media. The spots direct viewers to a website that has been created for the campaign, InventNow.org.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez unveiled the Inspiring Invention campaign at the National Press Club. "In an innovation-driven economy, the key to our future success and competitiveness lies in making sure we are sharing America's culture of innovation with our young people," said Gutierrez. "In doing so, we will prepare them to compete more effectively in the global marketplace and ensure that the United States maintains our global economic leadership."

USPTO's Under Secretary Jon Dudas was also on hand to unveil the campaign. "We see the Inspiring Invention campaign as a wonderful opportunity to show kids how fun and rewarding it can be to create. We hope that children who watch these ads will want to become more inventive; explore math, science, and other creative fields; and then share their new ideas -- to continue America's legacy of innovation."

For generations, the United States has been a recognized global leader in technology and innovation. While the country represents only 5 percent of the world's population, it accounts for nearly one-third of the world's science and engineering researchers and 40 percent of all research and development, according to the Council on Competitiveness However, with increased economic competition globally, it's widely recognized that the United States must take steps now to maintain its leadership. In particular, America must ensure we inspire future generations of innovators.

The new campaign, created in conjunction with ad agency Publicis & Hal Riney in San Francisco, aims to inspire children (specifically the "tweens," ages 8 to 11) to recognize how their imaginations can lead to the technological advances of the future. The campaign communicates that there is a role for every kind of unique curiosity and imaginative idea as it relates to invention. Ultimately, the goal is to motivate children to pursue inventing and innovating as part of their educations and, later, in their careers.

Developed with extensive research with inventors and children, the campaign includes new television, radio, outdoor and Web advertising that feature ordinary children creating inventions to solve everyday problems. The PSAs communicate to children that "anything is possible" and encourage them to "keep thinking." The ads direct audiences to visit a new comprehensive website, www.InventNow.org, to explore and discover their own innate inventiveness and curiosity. Designed by VPI (Visual Perspectives Internet), the site features interactive games and allows children to explore their inventive interests in space, sports, design and entertainment.

"Research conducted for our new campaign found that children are naturally curious and inventive, but they do not realize the impact of their creativity," according to Peggy Conlon, President & CEO of the Ad Council. "We are proud to join with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and The National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation on this wonderful effort to help children see that there are no limits to their creativity and imagination and that they can have a role in the technological advances of our future if they just 'keep thinking."

The "Inspiring Invention" campaign is one of several educational initiatives in which The National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation and the United States Patent and Trademark Office partner to encourage children to think inventively. Among these initiatives are the National Inventors Hall of Fame's Camp Invention and Club Invention programs, which are supported by the USPTO. Camp Invention, now in its 17th year, is a summer day camp that fosters creativity and inventive thinking skills that allow children to learn through hands-on activities, subject immersion, and discovery. In 2007, more than 60,000 students will attend Camp Invention in 47 states. Club Invention is an after-school program directed by the Hall of Fame that extends scientific inquiry-based education to after-school sites

National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductee and inventor of the modern microphone Dr. James West said, "This campaign relates directly to our mission of inspiring invention and creativity. It's a prime opportunity for us to capture the attention of children and share with them the wonders of science and technology, inspiring them enough to become involved in life-long endeavors in these fields. Our future, and theirs, will be much richer because of it."

Under Secretary Dudas Addresses U.S. Chamber Intellectual Property Summit in Beijing and Also Meets with Heads of Chinese IP Offices(09APR2007)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at April 9, 2007 01:58 PM

Under Secretary Dudas Addresses U.S. Chamber Intellectual Property Summit in Beijing and

Also Meets with Heads of Chinese IP Offices(09APR2007)

Meetings further deepen U.S. cooperation with Chinese IP Offices and speech outlines what governments are doing to address exponential worldwide growth in patent applications and intellectual property theft

The U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property (IP) and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Jon Dudas recently spoke at the Global Forum on Intellectual Property Rights Protection and Innovation in Beijing where he stressed the need for strong intellectual property protection and enforcement to foster innovation and wealth creation. The meeting in late March was hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and China’s Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

This was Mr. Dudas’ seventh trip to China to work on IP issues. He used the opportunity to meet with representatives of Chinese IP-related agencies to further bilateral cooperation on finding solutions to IP protection and enforcement challenges. Mr. Dudas met with Commissioner Tian Lipu of the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO), China's Patent Office for their second heads-of-offices meeting. The USPTO and SIPO have witnessed dramatic growth in patent application filings, and last year, the two agencies signed a work plan of strategic cooperation intended to reduce the workloads of both agencies and to further cooperation. Under the work plan, the USPTO has implemented an examiner exchange program and initiated an automation expert group meeting, as well as providing training to SIPO examiners and managers on biotechnology patent examination, examiner training and certification, and quality assurance.  Cooperative programs planned for the future include training of SIPO examiners at the USPTO Patent Academy, a workshop on traditional knowledge, genetic resources, and folklore, and an IP enforcement program.

The USPTO is pursuing similar agreements for future office-to-office exchanges with China’s Trademark and Copyright Offices.  While in China, Mr. Dudas met with Vice Minister Li Dongsheng of State Administration for Industry and Commerce to discuss trademark protection and enforcement. The two countries tentatively agreed to a number of joint programs on trademarks in 2007, including a May roundtable on the filing of abusive trademark applications, a June workshop on geographical indications, and trademark examination training at the USTPO in September.  

Mr. Dudas and Vice Minister Liu Binjie of China’s General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) agreed to enhance institutional cooperation on copyrights by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to be finalized in the next few months. Under the MOU, USPTO and GAPP will work together to exchange information on copyright matters, to exchange technical assistance, and work jointly to combat piracy.  Mr. Dudas also secured agreement from GAPP to help resolve jurisdictional disputes that have hindered textbook piracy enforcement.
 
In addition, Mr. Dudas met with China’s Supreme People’s Court and State Council’s Legislative Affairs Office to discuss China’s judicial IP enforcement and pending amendments to China’s IP laws, as well technical exchanges and cooperation.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez to Unveil New Campaign to Inspire Invention (5April2007)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at April 6, 2007 12:18 PM

MEDIA ALERT
Contacts:
Jennifer Rankin Byrne, USPTO (571) 272-0422
Rini Paiva, NIHFF, (330) 849-6916
Ellyn Fisher, Ad Council, (212) 984-1964

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez to Unveil New Campaign to Inspire Invention

April 5, 2007

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez will join the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation and The Advertising Council to unveil a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to engage a new generation of children to make innovation, invention and technological development an integral part of their lives.

WHO	• Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez, U.S. Department of Commerce • Jon Dudas, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office • Kathy Crosby, Senior Vice President, The Advertising Council • Dr. James West, National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductee and Inventor of the Modern Microphone • Local Elementary School Students
WHEN	Tuesday, April 10, 9:30 a.m.
WHERE	The National Press Club (Zenger Room) 529 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20045

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Since 1790, the basic role of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has remained the same: to promote the progress of science and the useful arts by securing for limited times to inventors the exclusive right to their respective discoveries (Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution). Today, the USPTO is a federal agency in the Department of Commerce, headquartered in Alexandria , Virginia . Through the issuance of patents, the USPTO encourages technological advancement by providing incentives to invent, invest in, and disclose new technology worldwide. Through the registration of trademarks, the agency assists businesses in protecting their investments, promoting goods and services, and safeguarding consumers against confusion and deception in the marketplace. By disseminating both patent and trademark information, the USPTO promotes an understanding of intellectual property protection and facilitates the development and sharing of new technologies worldwide.

  National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation

The not-for-profit National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation is the premier organization in America dedicated to honoring and fostering creativity and invention. Each year a new class of inventors is inducted into the Hall of Fame in recognition of their patented inventions that make human, social, and economic progress possible. Founded in 1973 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the National Council of Intellectual Property Law Association, the Hall's permanent home is Akron, Ohio, where the inventors in the Hall are honored and from where it administers its national programs, including Camp Invention ® , Club Invention ® , and the Collegiate Inventors Competition ® . For more information, visit www.invent.org .

  Ad Council

The Ad Council is a private, non-profit organization with a rich history of marshalling volunteer talent from the advertising and media industries to deliver critical messages to the American public. Having produced literally thousands of PSA campaigns addressing the most pressing social issues of the day, the Ad Council has effected, and continues to effect, tremendous positive change by raising awareness, inspiring action, and saving lives. For more information, please visit www.adcouncil.org .

USPTO Releases New Five-Year Strategic Plan (26Mar2007)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at March 26, 2007 12:44 PM

USPTO Releases New Five-Year Strategic Plan
Plan builds on record breaking progress in 2006

The Department of Commerce’s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today released the agency’s “2007-2012 Strategic Plan,” which lays out goals and objectives to guide the agency in accomplishing its mission of fostering innovation and competitiveness by providing high quality and timely examination of patent and trademark applications, guiding domestic and international intellectual property policy and delivering intellectual property information worldwide.

The plan builds upon the record-breaking progress the USPTO made during fiscal year 2006 in the areas of quality production, electronic filing and processing, teleworking and hiring.

The Strategic Plan has three complementary strategic goals: (1) optimizing patent quality and timeliness; (2) optimizing trademark quality, and (3) improving intellectual property protection and enforcement domestically and abroad. The plan outlines approaches toward attaining these goals, articulates underlying challenges and opportunities, and identifies steps that can be taken toward implementation. It provides a framework for continuing to make measurable quality improvements, reducing patent application pendency, increasing the percentage of patent applications filed electronically and improving worldwide intellectual property expertise.

The five-year plan also has a management goal of achieving organizational excellence. As part of this goal, the agency will strive to become an employer of choice with a culture of high performance and to enhance organizational communication, prerequisites to achieving the strategic goals focused on the agency’s core mission.

The plan is the outcome of a collaborative process that included input from the public, stakeholders and employees. A draft Strategic Plan was released in September 2006 and comments were solicited. Through public comment, employee focus sessions and the input of the Patent Public Advisory Committee and the Trademark Public Advisory Committee, the plan’s ambitious goals are more clearly stated.  Further, the final plan seeks to outline transformational strategies that balance the short-term needs of today’s applicants with strategic changes needed to deal the increasing complexity and numbers of patent applications.

The “2007-2012 Strategic Plan” is available at Strategic Plan .

 

USPTO Grants First Patent Under New Accelerated Review Option (15Mar2007)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at March 16, 2007 08:28 PM

USPTO Grants First Patent Under New Accelerated Review Option (15Mar2007)

Patent Issues in 6 months, 18 Months Sooner Than Under Regular Process

The Department of Commerce’s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued the first patent under its accelerated examination program that began in August 2006. The patent, for a printer ink gauge, was filed with the USPTO on September 29, 2006, and was awarded to Brother International, Ltd. on March 13, 2007.  Average review time for applications in the ink cartridge technology area is 25.4 months.  This patent issued in 6 months, a time savings of 18 months for the patent holder.

"Accelerated examination allows any innovator in any technology to get a full patent review and decision within twelve months,” noted Jon Dudas, under secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property.  In return for cutting the time to obtain a patent decision by 25-75%, the agency asks the applicant for a better application and process.  Inventors who want speedy results can get them, so long as they help improve the process."

To be eligible for accelerated examination, applicants are required to provide specific information, known as an examiner support document, so that review of the application can be completed rapidly and accurately. In return, the USPTO issues a final decision by the examiner within 12 months on whether their application for a patent will be granted or denied.

Any invention that is new, useful, non-obvious, and which is accompanied by a written description disclosing how to make and use it can be patented.  Applicants’ submissions enjoy a presumption of patentability.  Thus, to reject an application the USPTO is responsible for ensuring that any evidence indicating that the invention is not new or is obvious (known as “prior art”) is identified and explaining why the invention is not patentable in view of the evidence.

Applicants have a duty to disclose to the USPTO relevant prior art of which they are aware.  However, applicants are not required to search for prior art. Under the USPTO’s accelerated examination procedure, applicants are required to conduct a search of the prior art, to submit all prior art that is closest to their invention, and explain what the prior art teaches and how their invention is different.
 
In addition to providing and explaining any prior art references, applicants must explicitly state how their invention is useful and must show how the written description supports the claimed invention. 

Under the accelerated examination program, the number of claims allowed in each application is limited and time periods for responding to most USPTO communications are shortened.

The accelerated examination procedure is designed to give applicants quality patents in less time. In exchange for quick examination, patent examiners will receive more focused and detailed information about the invention and the closest prior art from the applicants.  This increased disclosure upfront by applicants will help examiners more quickly make the correct decision about whether a claimed invention deserves a patent

 

USPTO DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY PINKOS TO LEAVE USPTO (14Mar2007)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at March 14, 2007 04:51 PM

PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Brigid Quinn or Ruth Nyblod
(571) 272-8400 or
brigid.quinn@uspto.gov
Ruth.nyblod@uspto.gov

USPTO DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY PINKOS TO LEAVE USPTO (14Mar2007)

Will Move to Private Role in IP Policy

Stephen M. Pinkos, deputy under secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and deputy director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), has announced that he will be leaving the USPTO at the end of March.

"My time here has been very rewarding and a tremendous opportunity to work with dedicated people who appreciate the importance of intellectual property (IP)," remarked Deputy Under Secretary Pinkos who will be moving with his family to Fort Worth, Texas . "It was difficult for me to decide to leave the USPTO before the end of President Bush's term, but this is the right time for our family." 

Mr. Pinkos said he is just beginning to look at the next step of his professional career. "I'll continue to work in the area of IP policy and law. I've enjoyed working on IP issues over the last decade and I believe IP will continue to play a key role in America 's economic future." 

"Steve Pinkos is a true leader in the intellectual property world who has earned the respect of Members of Congress, international IP policymakers and his colleagues at the USPTO," said Jon Dudas, under secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property. "Steve was a critical part of the team that last year achieved record low error rates, an 18 percent gain in production and the highest level of electronic filing and processing in the history of the agency. He also has been a leader in the United States ' successful efforts to increase protection of intellectual property throughout the world. On behalf of the USPTO's 8,500 dedicated employees who have made our agency the most vital intellectual property office in the world, we are grateful for Steve's dedicated service and accomplishments."

Reflecting on his time at the USPTO, Deputy Under Secretary Pinkos noted that he has never seen a government agency so focused on producing real results. "The people here have great ideas, great enthusiasm and great dedication." The expectations for the office have grown far beyond just examining patents, he emphasized, but the people here, with Under Secretary Jon Dudas at the helm, are ready to meet the challenges of the future. The USPTO had a "fantastic year in 2006 and is poised to accomplish even more," added Pinkos. 

The Secretary of Commerce appointed Mr. Pinkos to the position of Deputy Under Secretary in August 2004. As a leader in intellectual property (IP) policy, he has helped develop and articulate Administration positions on all patent, copyright, and trademark issues, both domestic and foreign. He also has promoted strong IP policy globally, including strategies to thwart the theft of U.S. IP around the world. As an agency leader, he implemented policies and initiatives that provide innovators with quality and timely patent and trademark examinations. Before coming to the USPTO, Steve served as Staff Director for the House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary.

 

USPTO Report Finds That Inadvertent Filesharing Threatens Personal, Government and Corporate Data (06Mar2007)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at March 6, 2007 09:34 AM

USPTO Report Finds That Inadvertent Filesharing Threatens Personal, Government and Corporate Data (06Mar2007)

Users May Be Unaware of Threats from Filesharing Programs

The Department of Commerce’s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has released a report that concludes that the distributors of five popular filesharing programs repeatedly deployed features that they knew or should have known could cause users to share files inadvertently. The report, Filesharing Programs and “Technological Features to Induce Users to Share,” identifies five features in recent versions of five popular filesharing programs that could cause users to inadvertently distribute to others downloaded files or their own proprietary or sensitive files.
 
“Computer programs that can cause unintended filesharing contribute to copyright infringement, and they threaten the security of personal, corporate, and governmental data,” noted Jon Dudas, under secretary of commerce for intellectual property—the Bush Administration’s point person on copyright policy.

The report shows that distributors of filesharing programs deployed features that could cause inadvertent sharing even after repeated warnings that these features could facilitate identity theft and breaches of personal and national security.  For example, in 2003, two Congressional hearings were prompted by research indicating inadvertent sharing could be caused by search-wizard and share-folder features.  After the hearings, many distributors adopted a Code of Conduct that prohibited use of these features.  Nevertheless, in 2004 and 2005, many of these same distributors kept deploying more aggressive versions of search-wizard or share-folder features.  Many distributors also deployed other features, like partial-uninstall and coerced-sharing features, that also had a known or obvious potential to cause inadvertent sharing. 

The report also shows that inadvertent sharing has had severe consequences for governments, corporations and individuals.  In a 2005 Information Bulletin, the Department of Homeland Security warned that inadvertent filesharing could compromise national security: “There are documented incidents of P2P file sharing where Department of Defense sensitive documents have been found on non-US computers with no protection against hostile intelligence.” 

Individuals have also been affected.  On November 30, 2006, the Denver District Attorney indicted a gang of identity thieves who had used the program LimeWire “to access names and account information from personal and business accounts across the country, and then use that information to open new bank accounts in the Denver area.”  The indictment alleges, “The group’s common goal was to obtain and use methamphetamine as well as steal money and merchandise for personal use.”

“A decade ago, no one would have thought that copyright infringement could threaten personal or national security,” continued Dudas. “Today, that threat is a reality; we need to understand its causes and find solutions.”

Copies of the report have been forwarded to the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission and the National Association of Attorneys General.”  A copy of the report can be found at http://www.uspto.gov/main/profiles/copyright.htm.

(05MAR2007)

Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce Announces FY 2008 Budget Proposal for USPTO (05Feb2007)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at February 7, 2007 07:08 PM

Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce Announces FY 2008 Budget Proposal for USPTO
President's request provides full access to fees

In a telephone press conference on February 5, Steve Pinkos, deputy under secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property, announced the President's fiscal year 2008 budget request for the Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is $1.916 billion. This is the fourth consecutive year the President's budget recommends full access to the agency's anticipated fee collections.

"The President's budget request for fiscal year 2008 allows the USPTO to build on its recent successes in improving quality and increasing the number of patent and trademark examinations," noted Deputy Under Secretary Pinkos.   "It also provides the resources to continue our record hiring of patent examiners, and to expand our efforts to protect U.S. intellectual property around the globe."

Patent examiners completed 332,000 patent applications in 2006, the largest number ever, while achieving the lowest patent allowance error rate -- 3.5% -- in over 20 years. At 54%, the patent allowance rate also was the lowest on record.  Patent allowance rate is the percentage of applications reviewed by examiners that are approved. The agency also processed a record number of trademark applications in 2006.  USPTO trademark examining attorneys took final action on 378,111 trademark applications, a 36% increase over the previous year, and achieved a record low final action error rate, with mistakes found in only 3.6% of the trademark applications reviewed in FY 2006.

In FY 2008, the USPTO anticipates hiring an additional 1,200 patent examiners and to continue expanding the agency's award-winning telework efforts. The proposed budget also allows the agency to continue toward its goal of processing all patent and trademark applications electronically.  Additionally, the President's request will allow USPTO to continue working internationally to protect American intellectual property, including expanding its Global Intellectual Property Academy and posting additional IP experts abroad. 

USPTO To Unveil FY 2008 Budget (5 Feb 2007)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at February 5, 2007 10:45 AM

USPTO To Unveil FY 2008 Budget
[Call in starting at 1:10 p.m. ET]

Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Steve Pinkos will unveil highlights of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) FY 2008 budget request by teleconference on Monday, February 5, 2007.

WHO	Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Steve Pinkos
WHAT	Teleconference - Highlights of USPTO's FY 2008 budget.
WHEN	Monday, February 5, 2007 1:15 p.m. ET Reporters should call 1-888-390-8568 , passcode USPTO , starting at 1:10 p.m. ET to participate.

Note: The passcode (USPTO) and leader's name (Stephen Pinkos) will be required to join the call.

Deputy Under Secretary Pinkos will take questions after his presentation.

USPTO Names Maryland Library to Support Intellectual Property Needs of Inventors and Entrepreneurs (31Jan2007)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at January 31, 2007 02:29 PM

PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Brigid Quinn or Ruth Nyblod
(571) 272-8400 or
brigid.quinn@uspto.gov
ruth.nyblod@uspto.gov

January 31, 2007

USPTO Names Maryland Library to Support Intellectual Property Needs of Inventors and Entrepreneurs
University of Baltimore School of Law Library Designated a Patent and Trademark Depository

The Commerce Department's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced the designation of the University of Baltimore School of Law Library as a Patent and Trademark Depository Library (PTDL). PTDLs provide access to intellectual property information including more than 7 million patents and over 4 million active or pending trademark registrations, as well as other related information in various print and electronic media to support the diverse intellectual property needs of the public.

"The new PTDL gives Baltimore area students, faculty, researchers, inventors and entrepreneurs a unique resource right in their community," said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas. "The depository program makes the wealth of information contained only in patent and trademark documents easily accessible, and the library provides expert staff assistance in its usage."

The University of Baltimore serves a diverse student population with an emphasis on professional degrees and certificate programs for working adults. In addition, the University of Baltimore School of Law and Merrick School of Business work hand-in-hand through initiatives such as the "Lab to Market" program that fosters innovation in Maryland. The University of Baltimore School of Law Library is located in the John and Frances Angelos Law Center building at 1429 Maryland Avenue. It is easily accessible by car via I-83, Baltimore Light Rail, Baltimore Metro, and Pennsylvania Station for Amtrak and MARC Maryland commuter trains.

The PTDL will open to the public on February 1, 2007, and a grand opening celebration will be held at the library in Baltimore at a later date.

USPTO's patent and trademark depository library program is a nationwide network of public, state and academic libraries authorized to disseminate patent and trademark information and to support inventors, intellectual property attorneys and agents, business people, researchers, entrepreneurs, students, historians and the general public who are not able to come to USPTO's offices in Alexandria, Va. Services at the libraries are free, and include assistance in accessing and using patent and trademark documents, training on USPTO databases, obtaining access to the USPTO Web site, and hosting public seminars on intellectual property topics for novice and experienced innovators.

The patent and trademark depository library program began in 1871 when federal law first provided for the distribution of printed patents to libraries for use by the public. The addition of the University of Baltimore School of Law Library to the PTDL network makes a total of 85 libraries located in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. A list of all the current libraries can be found on USPTO's Web site at www.uspto.gov .

U.S. and Republic of the Philippines Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Intellectual Property Rights (29Jan2007)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at January 29, 2007 02:54 PM

PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Brigid Quinn or Ruth Nyblod
(571) 272-8400 or
brigid.quinn@uspto.gov
ruth.nyblod@uspto.gov

January 29, 2007
#07-06

U.S. and Republic of the Philippines Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Intellectual Property Rights
Collaboration Will Help Support U.S. Commerce Globally

The Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced today that Jon Dudas, under secretary of Commerce for intellectual property and Adrian S. Cristobal, Jr., director general of the Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of the Philippines (IP Philippines), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on technical cooperation between the two intellectual property offices.

As trading partners, the United States and the Philippines enjoy a close economic relationship that depends on strong intellectual property protection for their innovators and businesses.

"The USPTO appreciates this opportunity to work with the Philippines," said Under Secretary Dudas. "We are confident that, together, we will contribute to enhancing administration of intellectual property rights for IP users in both the Philippines and the United States."

Under the terms of the MOU, the USPTO and IP Philippines will cooperate on a range of intellectual property issues. The USPTO will provide assistance on the development of patent and trademark examination manuals and automated patent and trademark examination tools, as well as provide assistance with modernization projects that the two sides identify. The two offices will exchange information on a regular basis regarding their respective examination practices and the intellectual property laws of their respective countries.

 

Commerce Under Secretary Highlights Seattle’s Innovation (8 Jan 2007)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at January 8, 2007 08:30 PM

Commerce Under Secretary Highlights Seattle’s Innovation
Focus on importance of intellectual property protection to the Seattle-Tacoma economy

Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Jon Dudas today told reporters that protecting intellectual property against piracy and counterfeiting is a key part of economic growth in Seattle-Tacoma.

“Intellectual property is growing in importance to the local economy in and around Seattle,” noted Under Secretary Dudas.  “Seattle has been ranked sixth in the nation for biotechnology industry concentration, an industry for which patent protection is singularly important.”

“The residents of Washington realize the importance of intellectual property protection as evidenced by the more than 10,000 patent applications they filed in the past year,” Dudas continued.  “Business owners here want to understand the intellectual property system for success in today’s global market.” 

Under Secretary Dudas also reported late-breaking news on the economy.  “This morning we received very positive information about the U.S. economy.  It is strong and growing at a steady pace, and the outlook is favorable.”

According to the Under Secretary, the Labor Department today announced that the U.S. economy gained 167,000 new jobs in December, exceeding market expectations.  The U.S. economy has added 7.2 million new jobs since August 2003.  The United States’ unemployment rate held steady in December at 4.5 percent, and average hourly earnings rose by 8 cents or 0.5 percent. 

With the important role that intellectual property plays in the growth of both the Seattle-Tacoma and U.S. economies, combating intellectual property theft is a top priority for the Bush Administration.  Under Secretary Dudas emphasized that intellectual property theft costs U.S. businesses approximately $250 billion annually and hundreds of thousands of jobs. A major federal government effort known as the Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!) aims to combat criminal networks that traffic in fakes, stop trade in pirated and counterfeit goods at America's borders and help small businesses secure and enforce their rights in overseas markets. As part of the initiative, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office maintains a toll-free telephone hotline, 1-866-999-HALT, that helps businesses leverage the resources of the U.S. government to protect their intellectual property rights.

The USPTO also has a Web site specifically designed to address the needs of small businesses, and informational materials informing small businesses about the problem and steps they can take to mitigate it. Materials and other information about the awareness campaign are available at www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness .

Fiscal Year 2006: A Record-Breaking Year for the USPTO (22 Dec 2006)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at December 22, 2006 10:11 AM

Fiscal Year 2006: A Record-Breaking Year for the USPTO
Patent and trademark quality best on record in over 20 years

In Fiscal Year 2006, the Department of Commerce’s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) set new Agency records in goals related to quality, production, electronic filing, telework, electronic processing and hiring.

“The USPTO has spent the last four years concentrating on meeting or exceeding objective measures, as required by the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (“The Results Act”), continuing to make system-wide process improvements, and using related metrics and measures for gauging progress,” noted Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas.  “I am proud that fiscal year 2006 was a record-breaking year for the USPTO. “These records reflect the hard work and sound decisions of more than 8,000 USPTO employees.  Over the past four years, we have focused internally -- shining a bright light on our organization, raising the bar on our metrics and measures, and making system-wide improvements. We are now seeing the results of those efforts.”

Quality and Production – High quality and timely examination of applications advances science and technology and creates the certainty innovators need in capital driven markets.
Patents: Patent examiners completed 332,000 patent applications in 2006, the largest number ever, while achieving the lowest patent allowance error rate -- 3.5% -- in over 20 years. At 54%, the patent allowance rate was also the lowest on record.  Patent allowance rate is the percentage of applications reviewed by examiners that are approved.
Trademarks: The agency also processed a record number of trademark applications in 2006.  USPTO trademark examining attorneys took final action on 378,111 trademark applications, a 36% increase over the previous year, and achieved a record low final action error rate, with mistakes found in only 3.6% of the trademark applications reviewed in FY 2006.

Hiring and Training – Hiring top-notch scientists, engineers, and lawyers -- and properly training them in patent and trademark law -- are the foundation of a strong intellectual property system.
Patents: The USPTO received in excess of 440,000 patent applications in 2006, a record number. To help meet the demand, the agency hired a record 1,218 patent examiners, exceeding its goal by more than 200 people. To support this dramatic hiring increase, the USPTO replaced its one-on-one training model with a university approach for new hires.  This allowed the agency to deliver comprehensive training to new examiners, while more experienced examiners and supervisors focused on quality examination.  The agency will continue to hire over 1,000 patent examiners each year for the next five years.  Even so, the volume of applications will continue to outpace the agency’s capacity to examine them.  USPTO continues to look for ways, beyond hiring, to reduce the backlog, while maintaining examination quality.
Trademarks:  In 2006, the USPTO received 354,775 trademark applications, a 9.7% increase over the previous year.  To keep pace and reduce backlogs, the agency hired a record 87 new trademark examining attorneys, bringing the total to 413 -- the most in agency history.

Electronic Filing and Processing – User-friendly patent and trademark processing systems are key to quality examination.
Patents:  The USPTO implemented the Electronic Filing System-Web (EFS-Web), a user-friendly, Internet-based patent application and document submission solution.  This system dramatically increased the electronic filing of patent applications from 1.5 percent per month to 33 percent per month.
Trademarks:  Since 1998, the USPTO has seen a steady increase in the number of trademark applications filed electronically.  In 2006, a record high 94 percent of all trademark applications were filed electronically, compared with 88 percent last year. 
 
Telework - Giving employees the opportunity to do their jobs at alternative work sites is family friendly, raises morale, helps the agency attract and retain high quality staff, and reduces commuter traffic.
Patents: The first 500 patent examiners began working from home four days a week, using a hoteling program to book office space the one day a week they are in the office.  The agency expects that an additional 500 examiners will be added to those already working from home each year for at least the next five years.
Trademarks:  The work-at-home program for trademark examining attorneys is nearly 10 years old and is well known throughout government.  Two hundred and twenty trademark examining attorneys (85% of those eligible) participate in the program.  It is considered a model program and over the years has received numerous awards, including in 2006 the “Telework Program with Maximum Impact on Government Award” from the Telework Exchange.

International Relations and Enforcement -- Protecting U.S. intellectual property around the globe is an important element of U.S. economic security. 
As part of the Bush Administration’s Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!), the USPTO worked with other U.S. Government agencies to fight piracy and counterfeiting around the world and continued a communications campaign to educate small businesses about protecting their intellectual property.  The USPTO conducted more than 200 intellectual property rights training and outreach activities in over 100 countries.  In addition, USPTO placed intellectual property experts in Brazil, China, Egypt, India and Thailand to advocate improved IP protection for American businesses and to coordinate training to help stop piracy and counterfeiting abroad.    

Full results of the agency’s progress can be found in USPTO’s FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report at http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/annual/2006/2006annualreport.pdf.

U.S. and India Sign Historic Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Cooperation on Intellectual Property (20 Dec 2006)

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at December 20, 2006 03:42 PM

U.S. and India Sign Historic Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Cooperation on Intellectual Property
Offices to promote innovation, creativity and technological advancement

The Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced today that Jon Dudas, under secretary of commerce for intellectual property, and Ajay Dua, secretary of the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry (IMCI), recently signed an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Bilateral Cooperation between the United States and India on intellectual property issues.

"This MOU is a first between the United States and India on intellectual property issues, and it will open the door for an unprecedented level of cooperation and sharing of best practices," said Under Secretary Dudas.

"The MOU advances the objective established by President Bush and Prime Minister Singh in March for the United States and India to work together to promote innovation, creativity and technological advancement by providing a vibrant intellectual property rights regime," added Dudas.

Under the terms of the MOU, which builds upon the work of the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum and other successful bilateral meetings between the United States and India, the USPTO and the IMCI's Office of the Controller General will cooperate on capacity building, human resource development and public awareness of intellectual property. Among the activities designed to strengthen the work of both offices, the USPTO will help train Indian patent and trademark examiners, develop education material for the examiners and produce a manual on patent practice for use by Indian examiners and the public. This work will be carried forward with action plans that will establish specific areas for cooperation over a renewable two-year period of time.

PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Richard Maulsby or Ruth Nyblod
(571) 272-8400 or
richard.maulsby@uspto.gov
ruth.nyblod@uspto.gov

USPTO Now Accepting Electronic Petitions to Revive Patents Expired for Failure to Pay Maintenance Fees

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at December 18, 2006 02:49 PM

USPTO Now Accepting Electronic Petitions to Revive Patents

Expired for Failure to Pay Maintenance Fees

The USPTO has launched a Web-based e-petition initiative that now permits, under certain circumstances, the electronic filing of petitions to reinstate patents that have expired for unintentional failure to pay the required maintenance fees at 3.5, 7.5, or 11.5 years. This initiative is part of a continuing effort to develop and improve electronic systems for filing and processing patent applications.

The new electronic "Petition to Accept Unintentionally Delayed Payment of Maintenance Fee in an Expired Patent" will allow petitioners to pay the delayed maintenance fee and surcharge on their expired patent and have the petition automatically granted by the USPTO. These e-petitions must be filed using EFS-Web. The petition decision is viewable instantly to the e-filer along with the electronic receipt of EFS-Web filing. A copy is stored electronically as part of the Image File Wrapper (IFW). The public may inspect the decision in applications that are currently viewable in the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system on the USPTO Web site. If the e-filer meets all the eligibility requirements for using this e-petition, there will be no delay in granting the petition to reinstate a patent.

More information on this new e-petition can be found in "Quick Start Guide for Petitions" [PDF] and in "Instructions" for EFS-web form SB66 [PDF]

For help on filing this new e-petition, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center at 1-866-217-9197 or by e-mail to ebc@uspto.gov.

Future initiatives for e-petitions include petitions to make an application special based on an inventor's age, and petitions to revive an abandoned application by acceptance of the unintentionally delayed issue fee payment.

Transcript of November 16 On-Line for Independent Inventors Available

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at December 11, 2006 04:40 PM

Transcript of November 16 On-Line for Independent Inventors Available

A transcript of the most recent On-Line for Independent Inventors (16 November 2006) is now available through the Inventor Resources pages.

You can read the transcript at the following url:

http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/iip/online2006nov16.htm

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Opens New Art Gallery

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at December 5, 2006 08:24 PM

 U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Opens New Art Gallery
Inaugural exhibit features original paintings by USPTO employees

Washington, D.C. — The Department of Commerce's U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today opened a new art gallery at its headquarters in Alexandria, VA. The Gallery 600 - The ArtSpace @ USPTO celebrates the artistic expression and diversity within the agency.

"In the 28 years I've been at the USPTO, I've seen first hand the depth of talent and accomplishment of the folks who work here," remarked Commissioner for Trademarks Lynne Beresford at the gallery opening. "I am not surprised at the high quality of art shown in this exhibit. Everyone at the USPTO can enjoy this space and the artistic efforts of their fellow employees."

The inaugural exhibition, The Painters @ USPTO, is a selection of 32 original paintings created by 18 USPTO employees. It showcases a wide range of themes and media, from landscapes and portraits to abstract art in oil, acrylic and mixed media.

The public is welcome to visit the gallery located in the lower level of the Madison Building, 600 Dulany Street in Alexandria . The works in the exhibition will be on display until February 2007.

Commerce Under Secretary to Highlight Kansas City's Innovation

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at November 30, 2006 09:01 PM

Commerce Under Secretary to Highlight Kansas City's Innovation

Conference Call to focus on importance of intellectual property protection to Kansas City's economy

[Call in by 11:55 a.m. ET]

Washington, D.C. — Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Jon Dudas will highlight by teleconference on Friday, December 1, the importance of intellectual property protection to Kansas City, to the creation of jobs and to the economy, as well as the dangers of piracy and counterfeiting in the knowledge-based economy. He also will report on the national employment numbers for the month of November, which will be released that morning.

WHO	Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas
WHAT	Discussion about U.S. government efforts to curb theft of intellectual property, the importance of intellectual property protection in a global market, as well as to the Kansas City economy, and the creation of new jobs in Missouri, Kansas and the entire United States. Remarks on the global intellectual property marketplace and how small businesses, including those in Minnesota, are increasingly at risk of intellectual property theft.
WHEN	Friday, December 1, 2006 12:00 noon ET. Reporters should call 1 888-790-3349, passcode IP, by 11:55 a.m. ET to participate.

Note: The passcode (IP) and leader's name (Jon Dudas) will be required to join the call.

Under Secretary Dudas will take questions after his presentation.

USPTO and the European Patent Office To Launch Electronic Priority Document Exchange

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at November 16, 2006 03:21 PM

New Free Service Will Simplify Patent Application Procedures

The Department of Commerce’s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the European Patent Office (EPO) announced today that they are preparing to launch a new service that will allow patent application priority documents to be exchanged between the two offices electronically. Priority documents have to be filed when applicants wish to claim an earlier application filing date in one patent office based on a prior filing in another. Claiming priority is a valuable tool for businesses wanting to pursue patent rights globally. The new service, which will be free of charge to applicants, is the result of a 2005 agreement between the USPTO and the EPO and will pave the way for faster and more efficient processing in each office.

Under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, a treaty that provides a number of important rights for innovators, a patent applicant may file an application in one Paris Convention member country (the priority document), and within 12 months, file corresponding applications in other member countries, while obtaining the benefit of the first application’s filing date. This 12-month period allows applicants to make important decisions about where to file subsequent applications to seek protection for their inventions. Paris Convention filings are a critical component in many applicants’ global business and patenting strategies and represent a substantial portion of worldwide patent activity. In order to obtain the benefit of an earlier filing, however, applicants are generally required to file paper copies of the priority document in each of the later-filing offices at their own expense. The new service will allow the USPTO and the EPO to obtain, with appropriate permissions, electronic copies of priority documents filed with the other office from its electronic records management system at no cost to the applicant.

“Electronic priority document exchange is a win for both applicants and our offices,” said Under Secretary of Commerce and USPTO Director Jon Dudas. “By leveraging our electronic file management systems, we can streamline our internal processing while providing our applicants with the substantial benefits of reduced expenses and paperwork.”

“The realization of the electronic priority document exchange is a major step towards a user-oriented, efficient patent system and a good example of the excellent cooperation between the EPO and the USPTO,” added EPO President Alain Pompidou. “It sets the standards for providing added value services in the future.”

Testing of the new service will be complete in early December, and full production is expected to begin in January 2007. Further details will be made available by each office prior to full production.

USPTO To Hold Live On-Line for Independent Inventors

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at November 15, 2006 10:49 AM

USPTO To Hold Live On-Line for Independent Inventors

Senior officials of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, as well as a representative from the Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program, will be available live on-line on Thursday, November 16 , from 2 to 3 pm (ET). They will be answering questions and offering tips for independent inventors. Instructions for taking part in the online will be posted on the home page of the USPTO website at 10:30 am (ET) on Wednesday. Inventors can begin logging on for the on-line at 1:30 pm.

The independent inventor on-line is part of the USPTO's continuing efforts to promote and protect America 's independent inventors. This effort includes educating inventor-entrepreneurs about the risks of working with invention development companies.

We have transcripts and frequently-asked questions and answers from previous onlines available on the Inventors Resources pages. Check them out and save time — your question may already have an answer waiting for you!

Commerce Under Secretary Highlights Southeast Florida Innovation and Employment

Posted by Kristen Cichocki at November 8, 2006 12:15 PM

Commerce Under Secretary Highlights Southeast Florida Innovation and Employment
Presents Export Achievement Certificate to Dyadic International

West Palm Beach, FL. - Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Jon Dudas today told members of the Business Development Board's Life Sciences Cluster Committee that protecting intellectual property against piracy and counterfeiting is a key part of economic growth, particularly in southeast Florida .

"Florida is celebrated as an innovation hub," noted Under Secretary Dudas. "I am impressed with the economic growth in this region especially in the biotechnology arena," said Dudas.

Under Secretary Dudas also reported late-breaking news on the economy. "This morning we received very positive information about the U.S. economy. It is strong and growing at a steady pace, and the outlook is favorable."

According to the Under Secretary, the Labor Department today announced that the U.S. economy gained 92,000 new jobs in October. The U.S. economy has created more than 6.8 million new jobs since August 2003. The United States ' unemployment rate decreased to 4.4 percent nationally, which is lower than the average unemployment rate for the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. Unemployment is currently 3.2 percent in Florida .

The number of patents issued to Florida residents has more than doubled since 1984, from 1,169 to 2,744 last year. Among U.S. states, Florida ranks third in high-tech exports. Last year Florida exported over $33.3 billion worth of goods. According to Entrepreneur magazine, the Palm Beach County ranks among the top 10 best for entrepreneurs.

With Florida's dependence on high-tech exports, vigilance in protection of intellectual property becomes more critical. Combating intellectual property theft is a top priority for the Bush Administration. A major federal government effort known as the Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!) aims to combat criminal networks that traffic in fakes, stop trade in pirated and counterfeit goods at America 's borders and help small businesses secure and enforce their rights in overseas markets. As part of the initiative, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office maintains a toll-free telephone hotline, 1-866-999-HALT, that helps businesses leverage the resources of the U.S. government to protect their intellectual property rights.

The USPTO also has a Web site specifically designed to address the needs of small businesses, and informational materials informing small businesses about the problem and steps they can take to mitigate it. Materials and other information about the awareness campaign are available at www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness .

While in Southeast Florida, the under secretary lauded the contributions of Scripps Research Institute, one of the country's largest, private, non-profit research organizations in biomedical science. "Scripps Florida will help to enhance the local economy while furthering the advancement of medical research," Mr. Dudas remarked.

Under Secretary Dudas also presented the U.S. Department of Commerce's Export Achievement Certificate to Dyadic International of Jupiter, FL, for their accomplishments in export sales. Dyadic is a Florida biotech company specializing in industrial enzymes, biofuels and biotherapeutics that has worked with the Commerce Department's U.S. Commercial Service to expand its sales in Brazil.

The Export Achievement Certificate—administered by the U.S. Export Assistance Centers--recognizes companies that are business clients of the U.S. Commercial Service and have used their services to make the company's first export sale or open new foreign markets. The Florida U.S. Export Assistance Centers are part of the global network of the U.S. Commercial Service, a Commerce Department agency that helps small and medium-sized U.S. businesses sell their products and services globally. The agency's worldwide network includes 105 U.S. Export Assistance Centers throughout the United States and more than 150 international offices.

For more information on the U.S. Commercial Service, call the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Ft. Lauderdale at 954-356-6640 or visit www.export.gov/commercialservice .  

Commerce Under Secretary and Orlando Congressman Highlight Orlando’s Innovation and Employment

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at October 12, 2006 12:37 PM

Commerce Under Secretary and Orlando Congressman Highlight Orlando’s Innovation and Employment
Focus on importance of intellectual property protection to Orlando's economy

Washington, D.C . - Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Jon Dudas, joined by U.S. Representative Tom Feeney (R-FL), today told reporters on a conference call that protecting intellectual property against piracy and counterfeiting is a key part of economic growth, particularly in Orlando. Dudas and Feeney emphasized that intellectual property theft costs U.S. businesses approximately $250 billion annually and hundreds of thousands of jobs.

"Orlando is a leader in innovation and high-technology. Today's job numbers show that the U.S. has continued to add new jobs. Innovation in Florida is leading the way,” noted Under Secretary Dudas.

Today, the Labor Department announced that the economy gained 51,000 new jobs in September, following the addition of 188,000 jobs in August. The economy has created more than 1.7 million jobs over the past 12 months. Additionally, the economy has grown 4.1 percent over the first half of this year. Unemployment in Florida is just 3.3 percent compared to 4.6 percent nationally. Orlando's unemployment is 3.2 percent.

Florida and the Orlando area are helping America grow and lead the world economy. Florida ranks fourth in the nation for high-technology jobs. Orlando has been ranked first in the country for gazelle jobs, those jobs that are in companies with annual sales revenue growth of 20 percent or more for four straight years. The Burnham Institute for Medical Research's recent decision to expand to the Orlando area will create more than 3,000 jobs and an atmosphere for high wage technology job growth.

‘The Orlando economy, much like the rest of the country, is becoming more diversified through high-tech growth,” Dudas continued. "Florida businesses are exporting more and exporting to new markets. More intellectual property-based jobs are being created, and the need to understand the importance of intellectual property protection is ever more critical.”

Florida's high-tech exports totaled $9.4 billion in 2004, ranking third nationwide.

Combating intellectual property theft is a top priority for the Bush Administration. A major federal government effort known as the Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!) aims to combat criminal networks that traffic in fakes, stop trade in pirated and counterfeit goods at America's borders and help small businesses secure and enforce their rights in overseas markets. As part of the initiative, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office maintains a toll-free telephone hotline, 1-866-999-HALT, that helps businesses leverage the resources of the U.S. government to protect their intellectual property rights.

The USPTO also has a Web site specifically designed to address the needs of small businesses, and informational materials informing small businesses about the problem and steps they can take to mitigate it. Materials and other information about the awareness campaign are available at www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness .

###

USPTO Adds Key Member to Management Team

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at July 7, 2006 09:17 AM

July 6 , 2006
#06-39

USPTO Adds Key Member to Management Team
New Head of Congressional Relations Named

Jefferson D. Taylor has joined the Department of Commerce's U.S Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as director of congressional relations.

“ I am happy to welcome Jeff as a member of senior management at USPTO,” noted Jon Dudas, under secretary of commerce for intellectual property. “Jeff is a team player who has the experience and leadership skills necessary to help us achieve our goals.”

Taylor has over 20 years of experience in congressional relations, including director of communications and chief of congressional affairs for the Department of Commerce's U.S. Census Bureau from 2002-2005 . Prior to joining the Census Bureau, he managed governmental affairs for a number of trade associations and corporations including the American General Financial Group; the American Dietetic Association; the Safe Buildings Alliance and the National Association of Realtors. Taylor also was Chief of Staff to Representative Tom Davis when Davis was a Fairfax County Supervisor.

Mr. Taylor is a graduate of the Antioch School of Law and George Mason University.

###

Commerce Under Secretary to Highlight Indiana's Employment and Innovation

Commerce Under Secretary to Highlight Indiana's Employment and Innovation

Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Jon Dudas will be joined by Congressman John Hostettler in Terre Haute, Indiana, on Friday, July 7, to highlight the importance of intellectual property protection in a global market, the dangers of piracy and counterfeiting, and the creation of jobs in the knowledge-based U.S. economy. Under Secretary Dudas also will report on the Bush Administration's Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP) initiative, what the U.S. government is doing to protect intellectual property, as well as discuss the national employment numbers for the month of June.

WHAT	Speech on U.S. government efforts to curb theft of intellectual property, the importance of intellectual property in a global market, the creation of new jobs in Indiana and the United States, and the dangers of piracy and counterfeiting of intellectual property. A question and answer session will follow immediately after the speech.
WHO	Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office Jon Dudas Congressman John Hostettler (IN-08)
WHERE	Sony DADC 1800 N. Fruitridge Avenue Terre Haute, Indiana
WHEN	Friday, July 7, 2006 2:30 p.m.

New Web Look Launched

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at June 26, 2006 10:39 AM

New Web Look Launched

In an effort to better serve those who visit uspto.gov for business and information purposes, we have redesigned our homepage to make it more user-friendly.  Our homepage “makeover” is the first step of a larger plan to redesign the entire website over the coming months.

We are very interested in your comments on the changes we have just made and solicit your suggestions for changes to the rest of the website.  Please let us hear from you at new_web_look@uspto.gov.

Commerce Deputy Under Secretary to Address Midwest Businesses On U.S. Government Efforts to Combat Counterfeiting and Piracy in China

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at May 23, 2006 08:58 AM

Commerce Deputy Under Secretary to Address Midwest Businesses On U.S. Government Efforts to Combat Counterfeiting and Piracy in China

Washington , D.C. – Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Stephen Pinkos will deliver a keynote address to approximately 500 businessmen and women during a conference on doing business in China on May 23, 2006, in Cleveland, Ohio. The conference, hosted by the Commerce Department’s U.S. Commercial Service, will provide information useful to manufacturing companies entering the China market for the first time as well as those already established in China. Mr. Pinkos will outline the U.S. government’s views and efforts in intellectual property protection and enforcement.

WHAT	Keynote Address China: Risk, Reward, and How to Win
WHO	Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Stephen Pinkos
WHEN	Tuesday, May 23, 2006 12:00-12:45 p.m.
WHERE	Crowne Plaza Hotel 6th Floor 777 St. Clair Avenue Cleveland, Ohio

Commerce Deputy Secretary to Speak at USPTO's Community Day

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at May 17, 2006 09:39 PM

Commerce Deputy Secretary to Speak at USPTO's Community Day
“Celebrating 10 Years of Community Spirit” is the Theme of This Year's Event

Washington, D.C. -- On Thursday, May 18, 2006, the Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark (USPTO) will hold its 10 th annual Community Day recognizing the many cultures represented in its workforce. Joining USPTO Director Jon W. Dudas and agency staff at Community Day will be Deputy Secretary of Commerce David A. Sampson. The City of Alexandria Motorcycle Honor Guard and the T.C. Williams High School Marching Band will perform.

Community Day will also feature exhibitors and vendors, live music, a health fair, international games, as well as foods and dress which represent the diversity of USPTO's workforce. Highlights of this year's celebration will include the annual custom automobile and motorcycle show.

 

WHAT	USPTO's 10 th Annual Community Day
WHO	Deputy Secretary of Commerce, David Sampson 11 a.m. Under secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Jon Dudas
WHEN	Thursday, May 18, 2006 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
WHERE	United States Patent and Trademark Office Madison Building 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, Va.

###

U.S. GOVERNMENT BRINGS ANTI-COUNTERFEITING AND PIRACY PROGRAM TO OHIO

U.S. GOVERNMENT BRINGS ANTI-COUNTERFEITING AND PIRACY PROGRAM TO OHIO
Efforts Focus on Small Businesses that are Particularly Vulnerable

Columbus, Ohio – United States Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Stephen Pinkos and Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) today warned members of Ohio's small business community that they are at risk of overseas intellectual property theft -- even if they do not export. Both Deputy Under Secretary Pinkos and Senator Voinovich urged America's small businesses to consider protective action.

In remarks before the “Conference on Intellectual Property in the Global Marketplace,” sponsored by the Commerce Department's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Pinkos and Voinovich emphasized the importance to businesses of obtaining intellectual property protection both in the United States and overseas. Pinkos noted that in 2004, more than 850,000 businesses (or 98% of all businesses) in Ohio were small businesses, employing nearly 50 percent of the non-farm private workforce in Ohio. And Ohio's exports are significant. It was the seventh largest exporting state last year, and the ninth largest export state to China, sending more than $934 million worth of goods. Ohio's exports to China have more than tripled since 2000.

“Piracy and counterfeiting around the world are on the rise,” Pinkos said. “Intellectual property theft worldwide costs American companies $250 billion a year and – by extension – hurts American workers and their families.” The goal of our seminar in Columbus is giving small businesses the information they need to protect their intellectual property assets in the U.S. and around the world.”

While counterfeiting and piracy pose a serious threat to all American businesses, small businesses are particularly at risk because they often lack the knowledge and expertise to effectively combat it. Because small businesses typically do not have personnel or maintain large operations in other countries, theft of their intellectual property overseas can go undetected.

This seminar is the latest in a series the USPTO is hosting across the country to help educate American small businesses about the realities of piracy and counterfeiting. During the two-day seminar in Columbus, intellectual property experts from the agency provided attendees with details and useful tips about protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights in the United States and around the world.

The Columbus seminar represents one of the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office's many efforts to educate small businesses about intellectual property protection. The USPTO also has a Web site specifically designed to address the needs of small businesses, and informational materials informing small businesses about the problem and steps they can take to mitigate it. Materials and other information about the awareness campaign are available at www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness .

The seminars and Web site are part of a much larger USPTO and federal government effort known as the Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!). The STOP initiative aims to combat criminal networks that traffic in fakes, stop trade in pirated and counterfeit goods at America's borders and help small businesses secure and enforce their rights in overseas markets. As part of the initiative, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office maintains a toll-free telephone hotline, 1-866-999-HALT, that helps businesses leverage the resources of the U.S. government to protect their intellectual property rights.

For more information about the U.S. government's efforts to educate American businesses about intellectual property rights, visit www.stopfakes.gov .

###

U.S. Government Official To Speak to Ohio Schoolchildren about Illegal Downloading and Copying

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at May 12, 2006 09:48 PM

U.S. Government Official To Speak to Ohio Schoolchildren about Illegal Downloading and Copying
Kids to Learn the Value of Respecting Others' Intellectual Property

Washington, D.C. – U. S. Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Stephen Pinkos will talk to third graders at New Albany Elementary School in New Albany, Ohio, about respecting the music, art and ideas created by others. In his remarks, Pinkos will remind students that downloading and copying music, movies and video games without the permission of the artists' or copyright holders' permission is illegal.

WHAT	Remarks to local children on the importance of intellectual property, patents, copyrights and trademarks.
WHO	Deputy Under secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Stephen Pinkos
WHEN	Monday, May 15, 2006 at 1:15 p.m.
WHERE	New Albany 2-5 Elementary 87 North High Street New Albany, Ohio 43054 Phone: 614-413-8600
WEB	Visit http://www.uspto.gov/ to learn more about the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

###

U.S. GOVERNMENT OFFERS CHICAGO AREA BUSINESSES COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM ON PROTECTING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY FROM THEFT IN CHINA

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at May 4, 2006 02:45 PM

May 04 , 2006
#06-28

U.S. GOVERNMENT OFFERS CHICAGO AREA BUSINESSES COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM ON PROTECTING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY FROM THEFT IN CHINA
Part of STOP, the Federal Government's Comprehensive Anti-counterfeiting and Anti-piracy Initiative

Chicago, Ill. – U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Stephen Pinkos today warned over 100 Chicago businessmen and women that they are at risk of overseas intellectual property theft -- even if they do not export. In remarks before the conference on "Protecting Your Intellectual Property Rights in China and the Global Marketplace," sponsored by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Pinkos emphasized the importance to businesses of obtaining intellectual property protection both in the United States and overseas.

“Theft of intellectual property worldwide is rampant, costing American's their jobs and robbing U.S. businesses of approximately $250 billion annually,” Pinkos said. “China was the number one source of counterfeit products seized by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol in 2005, accounting for 69 percent of all seizures last year, or almost $64 million in products. We recognize that China has expanded efforts to protect intellectual property rights, but there are still critical deficiencies in protection and enforcement. The goal of this seminar is to help you make the best decision for your company regarding China.”

This seminar is the latest in a series the USPTO is hosting across the country to help educate American businesses about the realities of piracy and counterfeiting. During the two-day seminar in Chicago, intellectual property experts are providing comprehensive information on protecting and enforcing intellectual property in China for companies of any size, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While counterfeiting and piracy pose a serious threat to all American businesses, small businesses are particularly at risk because they often lack the knowledge and expertise to effectively combat it. Because small businesses typically do not have personnel or maintain large operations in other countries, theft of their intellectual property overseas can go undetected.

The Chicago seminar represents one of the USPTO's many efforts to educate small businesses about intellectual property protection. The USPTO also has a Web site specifically designed to address the needs of small businesses, and informational materials informing small businesses about the problem and steps they can take to mitigate it. Materials and other information about the awareness campaign are available at www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness .

The seminars and Web site are part of a much larger USPTO and federal government effort known as the Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!). The STOP initiative aims to combat criminal networks that traffic in fakes, stop trade in pirated and counterfeit goods at America's borders and help small businesses secure and enforce their rights in overseas markets. As part of the initiative, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office also maintains a toll-free telephone hotline, 1-866-999-HALT, that helps businesses leverage the resources of the U.S. government to protect their intellectual property rights.

For more information about the U.S. government's efforts to educate American businesses about intellectual property rights, visit www.stopfakes.gov .

###

U.S. GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST CHICAGO AREA BUSINESSES IN COMBATING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY THEFT IN CHINA

May 3, 2006
#06-27

U.S. GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST CHICAGO AREA BUSINESSES IN COMBATING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY THEFT IN CHINA
Part of STOP, the Federal Government's Comprehensive
Anti-counterfeiting and Anti-piracy Initiative

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Stephen Pinkos will join over 100 Chicago businessmen and women for a conference on "Protecting Your Intellectual Property Rights in China and the Global Marketplace" on Thursday May 4, 2006, in Chicago, Illinois. The event, sponsored by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, is part of the federal government's Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP). Intellectual property experts will provide comprehensive information on protecting and enforcing intellectual property in China for companies of any size, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

WHAT	Protecting Your Intellectual Property Rights in China and the Global Marketplace Remarks on the global intellectual property marketplace and how small businesses, including those in Chicago, are increasingly at risk of intellectual property theft
WHO	Stephen Pinkos, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property
WHEN	Thursday, May 4, 2006 9:00 a.m.
WHERE	Hyatt Regency McCormick Place 2233 S. Martin L. King Drive Chicago, IL

World Intellectual Property Day - A Message from President George W. Bush

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at April 27, 2006 10:21 AM

World Intellectual Property Day
A Message from President George W. Bush

April 26th was World Intellectual Property Day. The power of ideas as the seedbed for innovation and creativity was the theme of this year’s observance. President Bush issued the following message to mark the sixth annual World IP Day.

>> View/Print Message… [PDF Viewer required] 

USPTO Seeks Nominees for Public Advisory Committees

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at April 10, 2006 04:36 PM

USPTO Seeks Nominees for Public Advisory Committees
May 8 Deadline for Submissions

The United States Patent and Trademark Office is seeking qualified individuals to serve on its public advisory committees. Nominations are being requested for three members to each of the committees. Members are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce and serve for three years. Persons wishing to submit nominations should send the nominee's resume to the Chief of Staff, Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, Post Office Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450.

Electronic submissions for the patent advisory committee should be sent to PPACnominations@uspto.gov and to TPACnominatons@uspto.gov for the trademark advisory committee. Nominations must be postmarked or electronically transmitted on or before May 8, 2006.

For more information about the advisory committees and the duties and responsibilities of members see Public Advisory Committees.

Conference on Protecting Your Intellectual Property Rights in China and the Global Marketplace Set for Chicago, Illinois

Conference on Protecting Your Intellectual Property Rights in China and the Global Marketplace Set for Chicago, Illinois
May 4-5

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will sponsor a two-day seminar on "Protecting Your Intellectual Property Rights in China and the Global Marketplace” on Thursday and Friday, May 4-5, 2006, at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.

This free program, which is part of the federal government’s Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP), will provide comprehensive information on protecting and enforcing intellectual property in China for companies of any size, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). If your company is thinking about entering the China market, if you already have an established presence in China or if you simply want to learn about how to protect your company against IP theft from abroad, you will want to attend this event.

Topics will include a review of China’s current laws and regulations affecting intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement; protecting business assets to avoid IP problems from China; recognizing when an IP asset has been infringed; what to do if infringement occurs; and the U.S. government’s efforts to improve the IP protection and enforcement environment in China for U.S. industry.

Speakers at the seminar will include China IP experts, U.S. and/or Chinese government officials, representatives from U.S. and Chinese law firms servicing clients in China, and representatives from various U.S. companies.

The conference is free, but registration is required.

U.S. Government Official Educates Northern Virginia Children About Intellectual Property Theft

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at March 29, 2006 03:54 PM

U.S. GOVERNMENT BRINGS ANTI-COUNTERFEITING AND PIRACY PROGRAM TO NORTHERN VIRGINIA

March 28, 2006
#06-22

U.S. GOVERNMENT BRINGS ANTI-COUNTERFEITING AND PIRACY PROGRAM TO NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Efforts Focus on Small Businesses that are Particularly Vulnerable

McLean, VA . – U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas and U.S. Representative Frank Wolf (Va-10) today warned members of Northern Virginia's small business community that they are increasingly at risk of overseas intellectual property theft -- even if they do not export. Both Under Secretary Dudas and Representative Wolf urged America's small businesses to consider protective action.

In remarks before the “Conference on the Global Intellectual Property Marketplace,” sponsored by the Commerce Department's U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Dudas and Wolf emphasized the importance to businesses of obtaining intellectual property protection both in the United States and overseas. Dudas noted that small firms employ 48 percent of all Virginia's workers.

Piracy and counterfeiting around the world are on the rise, and intellectual property-based companies—and those with widely recognized names or products—are especially vulnerable to intellectual property theft abroad,” Dudas said. “The goal of this seminar here in Northern Virginia is to arm small businesses with the information they need to protect their intellectual property assets in the U.S. and anywhere around the world they conduct business.”

While counterfeiting and piracy pose a serious threat to all American businesses, small businesses are particularly at risk because they often lack the knowledge and expertise to effectively combat it. Because small businesses typically do not have personnel or maintain large operations in other countries, theft of their intellectual property overseas can go undetected.

The Northern Virginia seminar is the latest in a series the USPTO is hosting across the country to help educate American small businesses about the realities of piracy and counterfeiting. During the two-day seminar in Northern Virginia, intellectual property experts from the agency provided attendees with details and useful tips about protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights in the United States and around the world. Previously, USPTO seminars were held in Salt Lake City, Utah; Phoenix, Arizona; Austin, Texas; Miami, Florida; and, San Diego.

The Northern Virginia seminar represents one of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's many efforts to educate small businesses about intellectual property protection. The USPTO also has a Web site specifically designed to address the needs of small businesses, and informational materials informing small businesses about the problem and steps they can take to mitigate it. Materials and other information about the awareness campaign are available at www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness .

The seminars and Web site are part of a much larger USPTO and federal government effort. The Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!) initiative aims to combat criminal networks that traffic in fakes, stop trade in pirated and counterfeit goods at America's borders and help small businesses secure and enforce their rights in overseas markets. As part of the initiative, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office maintains a toll-free telephone hotline, 1-866-999-HALT, that helps businesses leverage the resources of the U.S. government to protect their intellectual property rights.

For more information about the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's effort to educate American businesses about intellectual property rights, visit www.stopfakes.gov .

###

U.S. Government Official To Speak to Schoolchildren about Illegal Downloading and Copying

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at March 28, 2006 07:53 AM

Welcome to RSS Mojo

Posted by Stephen M. Nipper at March 27, 2006 10:33 PM

RSS Mojo currently has two components: (1) US Patent and Trademark Office News and (2) IP Lawsuit Filing Updates.

1. US Patent and Trademark Office News

Unlike the Copyright Office, the Patent and Trademark Office doesn't yet have RSS feeds of their News & Notice's page. We've done it for you. You can subscribe via RSS or via e-mail.

a. RSS feeds:
Official Gazette and Federal Register Notices
General Announcements
Patent News and Notices
Trademark News and Notices
OR, all of the above: ALL PTO News and Notices

b. E-mail subscription:

General Announcements
Patent News and Notices
Official Gazette and Federal Register Notices
Trademark News and Notices
ALL (of the above) PTO News and Notices

[Note: These RSS feeds may include information pulled from the USPTO Website and may contain information which is dedicated to the public domain. For more information, please see the USPTO's Editorial and Publication Guidelines. Of course, these RSS feeds are not endorsed, sponsored or condoned by the USPTO.]

2. Lawsuit Filings

We're reworking our Lawsuit Filings service, and as such it is currently not accepting new subscribers.

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IP Lawsuit Filing Updates

Posted by Stephen M. Nipper at March 26, 2006 01:21 PM

One of the side projects the three of us have been developing over the last 6 months is a service called "Lawsuit Mojo." Back in September we rolled out a "weekly" update of patent lawsuits that had been filed in the previous weeks. Subscription information can be found here: http://www.rethinkip.com/archives/rss_email_patent_lawsuit_filing_notices.html

This "patent lawsuit" service was taking us 30-45 minutes per update to do...ergo why it (as work/family demands changed) wasn't as regularly updated (weekly) as we had wished. That also explains why we hadn't yet rolled out trademark and copyright lawsuit updates (time).

The demand has been high enough that we decided to hire a software guru to code the process, dropping our time from 45 minutes to 5-10 minutes a week. This new system is about ready for prime time...a few initial postings (that may contain some duplicate cases as we move to the new database) and we'll be good to go.

So...it is looking like we will be able to provide weekly (every Monday) updates of patent, trademark and copyright (as well as any other federal lawsuit causes of action requested) lawsuits filed (federally).

We are going to beta test it for a couple months and then will likely move it to a weekly subscription service (to fund further development of this product and others we have in the hopper). We will likely ALSO create a monthly (or other frequency) free service.

YOUR needs will drive the development of these tools...so, the better the input you give us, the better we will be able to create the tools YOU need.

I'll probably get the intitial patent/trademark/copyright updates (data March 1-21) up later today, and will try to get our first weekly update up tomorrow (data since March 21). More details on this project to follow...

Stephen M. Nipper
snipper@gmail.com

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Commerce Under Secretary Highlights Florida’s Innovation and Competitiveness

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at March 10, 2006 02:16 PM

PRESS RELEASE Contact: Brigid Quinn or Ruth Nyblod 571-272-8400 brigid.quinn@uspto.gov ruth.nyblod@uspto.gov

March 10, 2006 #06-17

Commerce Under Secretary Highlights Florida’s Innovation and Competitiveness

Orlando, Fla. -- Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Jon Dudas today echoed President Bush’s agenda to improve America’s ability to innovate, maintain a competitive edge and make health care more efficient. Under Secretary Dudas also presented an Export Achievement Award to NR Electronics, an Orlando small business.

“Florida is growing in terms of economy, innovation, and intellectual property,” noted Dudas. “In short, Florida and the Orlando area are helping America grow and lead the national and world economies. The President’s American Competitiveness Initiative strategy will increase federal investment in research, ensure that the United States continues to lead the world in opportunity, and help provide American young people with a strong foundation in math and science. What’s happening in Florida is certainly on the leading edge, and the President’s American Competitiveness Initiative will only strengthen what Florida is already doing.”

Dudas lauded the area’s impressive examples of innovation, including a pioneer in feature animation, Walt Disney, who invented the first film to combine animation with synchronized sound. Disney was inducted in the National Inventors Hall of Fame for his “art of animation.” Today, the Walt Disney Company, as well as neighboring large and small businesses, still rely on intellectual property protection to help support every aspect of their business.

The number of patents issued to Floridians has more than doubled in the past 20 years from about 1,100 patents in 1984 to almost 3,000 in 2004. Last year, Florida residents registered almost 3,700 trademarks and filed 17,000 more applications. The Orlando area has been ranked first in the country for gazelle jobs—those jobs in companies with annual sales revenue growth of 20 percent or more for four straight years.

Under Secretary Dudas also recognized the NR Electronics company as an example of how U.S. small businesses are growing through exports. The company, founded in 2003 as a one-man electronics distributor, specializes in obsolete and hard-to-find products. With exports growing, the company has reached almost $1 million in annual sales. In presenting the Commerce Department’s Export Achievement Certificate to the NR Electronics’ managing director, Under Secretary Dudas commended the company for “helping create more U.S. jobs, which strengthens our economy.”

# # #

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IP Global Marketplace Conference Set for McLean, Virginia - March 27-28

IP Global Marketplace Conference Set for McLean, Virginia - March 27-28

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will present a two-day conference on intellectual property for small and medium size businesses, entrepreneurs and independent inventors who are interested in manufacturing their products abroad. The conference will be held March 27-28 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at Tyson’s Corner in McLean, Virginia. Congressman Frank Wolf (R Va.) will be a special guest speaker. The sessions run both days from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The conference is part of the federal government’s Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP) and the USPTO’s continuing effort to increase public awareness about intellectual property and the enforcement of those rights in the global marketplace.

The conference is free, but seating is limited. Register now.

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U.S. GOVERNMENT BRINGS ANTI-COUNTERFEITING AND PIRACY PROGRAM TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at February 27, 2006 03:10 PM

PRESS RELEASE Contact: Brigid Quinn or Ruth Nyblod 571-272-8400 brigid.quinn@uspto.gov ruth.nyblod@uspto.gov

February 27, 2006 #06-14

U.S. GOVERNMENT BRINGS ANTI-COUNTERFEITING AND PIRACY PROGRAM
TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Efforts Focus on Small Businesses that are Particularly Vulnerable

San Diego, Calif . – U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas and U.S. Representative Darrell Issa (CA-49) today warned members of California's small business community that they are increasingly at risk of overseas intellectual property theft -- even if they do not export. Both Under Secretary Dudas and Representative Issa urged America's small businesses to consider protective action.

In remarks before the “Conference on the Global Intellectual Property Marketplace,” sponsored by the Commerce Department's U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Dudas and Issa emphasized the importance to businesses of obtaining intellectual property protection both in the United States and overseas. Dudas noted that California alone has about 1.1 million small businesses employing 7.8 million residents.

“In 2004, California exported almost $110 billion in products. The top four destinations for California's exports are Mexico, Japan, Canada and China. Piracy and counterfeiting around the world are on the rise, and intellectual property-based companies—and those with widely recognized names or products—are especially vulnerable to intellectual property theft abroad,” Dudas said. “The goal of this seminar here in San Diego is to arm small businesses with the information they need to protect their intellectual property assets in the U.S. and anywhere around the world they conduct business.”

While counterfeiting and piracy pose a serious threat to all American businesses, small businesses are particularly at risk because they often lack the knowledge and expertise to effectively combat it. Because small businesses typically do not have personnel or maintain large operations in other countries, theft of their intellectual property overseas can go undetected.

The San Diego seminar is the latest in a series the USPTO is hosting across the country to help educate American small businesses about the realities of piracy and counterfeiting. During the two-day seminar in San Diego, intellectual property experts from the agency are providing attendees with details and useful tips about protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights in the United States and around the world. Previously, USPTO seminars were held in Salt Lake City, Utah; Phoenix, Arizona; Austin, Texas; and Miami, Florida.

The San Diego seminar represents one of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's many efforts to educate small businesses about intellectual property protection. The USPTO also has a Web site specifically designed to address the needs of small businesses, and informational materials informing small businesses about the problem and steps they can take to mitigate it. Materials and other information about the awareness campaign are available at www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness .

The seminars and Web site are part of a much larger USPTO and federal government effort. The Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!) initiative aims to combat criminal networks that traffic in fakes, stop trade in pirated and counterfeit goods at America's borders and help small businesses secure and enforce their rights in overseas markets. As part of the initiative, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office maintains a toll-free telephone hotline, 1-866-999-HALT, that helps businesses leverage the resources of the U.S. government to protect their intellectual property rights.

For more information about the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's effort to educate American businesses about intellectual property rights, visit www.stopfakes.gov .

# # #

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Berkeley Town Hall Meeting to Focus on Improvements to Patent Review Process

MEDIA ADVISORY Contact: Brigid Quinn or Ruth Nyblod 571-272-8400 brigid.quinn@uspto.gov ruth.nyblod@uspto.gov

February 24, 2006 #06-13

Berkeley Town Hall Meeting to Focus on Improvements to Patent Review Process

Washington, D.C. – Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas will lead a town hall meeting to 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. In addition, the USPTO will demonstrate its new Web-based patent electronic filing system ( EFS Web ).

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	Jon Dudas, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO Patent attorneys, patent agents, independent inventors and members of the small business community
When	Tuesday, February 28, 2006 1:00 p.m.
Where	University of California, Berkeley International House 2299 Piedmont Avenue Berkeley, California

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

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Commerce Under Secretary to Highlight North Carolina’s Innovation and Competitiveness

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at February 16, 2006 04:20 PM

MEDIA ADVISORY Contact: Brigid Quinn or Ruth Nyblod 571-272-8400 brigid.quinn@uspto.gov ruth.nyblod@uspto.gov

February 16, 2006 #06-10

Commerce Under Secretary to Highlight North Carolina’s Innovation and Competitiveness
Charlotte event to focus on UNC Charlotte leadership in health care–related innovation

Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Jon Dudas will speak at UNC Charlotte to highlight President Bush’s competitiveness initiative and a genda to make the health care system more efficient while continuing to lead the world in cutting edge medicine .

What	USPTO event celebrating competitiveness and innovation in health care technology-as follow-up to President’s State of the Union address. Learn about UNC Charlotte’s leadership in bringing ideas to market, their benefits to the region and the country, and important role of the U.S. patent and trademark systems. A question and answer session will follow immediately after the speech.
Who	Jon Dudas, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office John Doll, Commissioner for Patents Congressman Robin Hayes (N.C.-8 th District) Researchers and administrators at University of North Carolina-Charlotte and the Charlotte Research Institute, independent inventors, local technology-oriented companies.
Where	UNC Charlotte Campus Woodward Hall / Science and Technology Building Room 106
When	Friday, February 17, 2006 2:00 p.m.

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Commerce Under Secretary Highlights Nevada’s Innovation and Competitiveness

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at February 8, 2006 09:32 AM

Commerce Under Secretary Highlights Nevada’s Innovation and Competitiveness
Nevada Doubles Patents and Leads Nation with Most Business Start-ups

Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Jon Dudas last week in Las Vegas highlighted Nevada’s innovation and competitiveness as a follow-up to President George W. Bush's State of the Union address announcing the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI).

“Nevada is growing in terms of its intellectual property, skilled work force and economic strength,” Under Secretary Dudas said. “In short, Nevada is helping America continue to lead the national and world economies.”

In highlighting the President’s American Competitiveness Initiative during remarks to local government officials, inventors, business representatives and educators, Dudas lauded the area’s impressive examples of innovation, noting that such regional development is “key to our nation’s economic future.”

In the past 10 years, the number of patents awarded to residents of Nevada has more than doubled, from 212 patents in 1994 to 461 in fiscal year 2005. Nevada also ranked first in the nation in having the most business start-ups, according to the most recent State New Economy Index.

An essential component of any regional economy is a thriving university. The University of Nevada-Las Vegas is a premier research university. UNLV, known for its growing technology transfer program, is building a $75 million science, engineering and technology complex scheduled to open next year, which will integrate teaching and research space. The university’s leading-edge work and partnerships with industry provide an all-around winning equation for the university and for the American economy.

Nevada’s independent inventors and small businesses, such as a company that makes batteries used for hybrid electric vehicles, exemplify American ingenuity. And to stimulate the next generation of American inventors, Nevada has Camp Invention, a summer educational outreach program for children, sponsored by the USPTO and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Camp Invention runs 15 weeklong camps throughout Nevada designed to encourage the creative process that leads to problem solving, discovery and invention.

“The President’s American Competitiveness Initiative will encourage innovation through new federal funding for research, tax certainty for research and development, and strengthening education in math and science,” Dudas said. “ACI will reinforce what Nevada is already doing.

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COMMERCE DEPARTMENT FY 2007 BUDGET MAINTAINS COMMITMENT TO JOB GROWTH AND U.S. COMPETITIVENESS

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at February 6, 2006 05:17 PM

COMMERCE DEPARTMENT FY 2007 BUDGET MAINTAINS
COMMITMENT TO JOB GROWTH AND U.S. COMPETITIVENESS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today announced that President Bush’s $6.1 billion budget request for the U.S. Department of Commerce maintains the Department’s priorities of promoting job growth and U.S. competitiveness while also restraining discretionary Federal spending.

“This budget request reflects President Bush’s commitment to maintaining a strong and vibrant economy that enables U.S. businesses to innovate, compete and succeed in the global marketplace,” said Gutierrez. “This administration is determined to continue providing American entrepreneurs and workers with the tools they need to fuel our economy while also reining in federal spending.”

The Commerce Department’s budget will focus on its main goals of providing information and tools to maximize U.S. competitiveness; fostering science and technological leadership, including protecting intellectual property rights; and observing, protecting and managing the earth’s resources to promote environmental stewardship.

Maximizing Competitiveness and Economic Growth

A central theme for the President’s FY 2007 Budget is economic growth and maximizing U.S. competitiveness.

The International Trade Administration (ITA) supports U.S. commercial interests at home and abroad by strengthening the competitiveness of American industries and workers, promoting international trade, opening markets to U.S. businesses, and ensuring compliance with domestic and international trade laws and agreements. The President’s FY 2007 Budget requests $409 million for ITA to serve its goals along with an increase of $2 million to support the President’s Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate. This partnership will reduce the barriers to energy efficient American products and technologies in Australia, China, India, Japan and South Korea.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is charged with leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness while preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. The President’s FY 2007 Budget expands the programs of EDA by $47 million to $327 million. This is a 17 percent increase reflecting the Administration’s emphasis on regional competitiveness and measuring performance as the underlying strategy for federal economic development policy. EDA will work collaboratively with other federal partners in the establishment of a proactive, regionally based federal economic development framework to empower America’s communities to be globally competitive.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) promotes the understanding of the United States economy and its competitive position. Under the umbrella of the Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA), BEA provides key objective data on the Nation’s economic condition in a timely and cost-effective manner. The President’s FY 2007 Budget requests $80 million to continue providing statistics that are critical to public and private sector decision-making.

In support of their role as the leading source of quality data regarding the nation’s people and economy, the President’s FY 2007 Budget request for ESA’s Census Bureau is $878 million. Among the additional funding for programmatic changes included in this budget request for Census is an increase of $44 million to reengineer the collection of basic census data to meet constitutional and legal mandates in preparation for the 2010 Decennial Census, implement the American Community Survey to obtain detailed annual data, and modernize the Bureau’s geographic database. Other program additions include $11 million to develop tools and systems to support the 2007 Economic Census and $3 million for the Census of Governments to collect data supporting the 2007 Census.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) regulates the export of sensitive goods and technologies to protect the security of the U.S. The President’s FY 2007 Budget requests $78.6 million to enable BIS to effectively carry out this mission. The proposed budget includes an increase to modernize the Export Control Automated Support System which is critical for processing export licenses.

To continue their focus on accelerating the competitiveness and growth of minority-owned businesses, the President’s FY 2007 Budget request for the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is $29.6 million.

Fostering Leadership in Science and Technology

The President’s FY 2007 Budget request of $581 million for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a part of the Technology Administration (TA), will advance measurement science, standards, and technology disciplines such as nanotechnology, quantum information science and neutron research. This request includes a $104 million increase for NIST laboratories, National Research Facilities, and Construction and Major Renovations to implement the President’s ten-year American Competitiveness Initiative.

For the third year in a row, President Bush is recommending that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) keep all of the fees it will collect. USPTO will use the $1.8 billion in spending authority contained in the President’s FY 2007 Budget request to reduce application processing time and increase the quality of its products. This funding would allow for the hiring of additional examiners, the refining of the electronic patent application filing and processing system, the improvement of quality assurance programs, and the implementation of higher standards for examiner certification and recertification.

For the National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA), the President’s FY 2007 Budget request proposes programs in support of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund. These programs will provide consumers with vouchers to aid in purchasing digital-to-analog television converter boxes, assist public safety agencies in acquiring interoperable communications systems, and support an interim digital television broadcast system for New York City. The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund, created by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, funds a number of programs with the auction proceeds of electromagnetic spectrum recovered from discontinued analog television signals.

Promoting Environmental Stewardship

The President’s FY 2007 Budget request of $3.6 billion for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reflects the Administration’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Within Operations, Research and Facilities, the request provides an increase of $12.4 million to operate the U.S. Tsunami Warning System, increases to several programs that will support a variety of fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico, and $6 million for the Open Rivers Initiative (ORI): a competitive grant program using a community-based model to remove river barriers in coastal states, thus enhancing populations of key NOAA trust species and supporting the President’s Cooperative Conservation Initiative.

For Procurement, Acquisition and Construction, major program increases include funding to have the NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction facility ready to begin operations in 2008, $20 million for NOAA’s share of the National Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) which will replace the Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellite series, and $113 million to continue the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-R) series system acquisition which will be the next generation follow-on to the current GOES-N satellites used to track storm development and movement.

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Commerce Under Secretary Highlights Nevada’s Innovation and Competitiveness

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at February 3, 2006 08:41 AM

PRESS RELEASE Contact: Brigid Quinn or Ruth Nyblod 571-272-8400 brigid.quinn@uspto.gov ruth.nyblod@uspto.gov

February 2, 2006 #06-08

Commerce Under Secretary Highlights Nevada’s Innovation and Competitiveness
Nevada Doubles Patents and Leads Nation with Most Business Start-ups

Las Vegas, Nev. -- Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Jon Dudas today highlighted Nevada’s innovation and competitiveness as a follow-up to President George W. Bush's State of the Union address announcing the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI).

“Nevada is growing in terms of its intellectual property, skilled work force and economic strength,” Under Secretary Dudas said. “In short, Nevada is helping America continue to lead the national and world economies.”

In highlighting the President’s American Competitiveness Initiative during remarks to local government officials, inventors, business representatives and educators, Dudas lauded the area’s impressive examples of innovation, noting that such regional development is “key to our nation’s economic future.”

In the past 10 years, the number of patents awarded to residents of Nevada has more than doubled, from 212 patents in 1994 to 461 in fiscal year 2005. Nevada also ranked first in the nation in having the most business start-ups, according to the most recent State New Economy Index.

An essential component of any regional economy is a thriving university. The University of Nevada-Las Vegas is a premier research university. UNLV, known for its growing technology transfer program, is building a $75 million science, engineering and technology complex scheduled to open next year, which will integrate teaching and research space. The university’s leading-edge work and partnerships with industry provide an all-around winning equation for the university and for the American economy.

Nevada’s independent inventors and small businesses, such as a company that makes batteries used for hybrid electric vehicles, exemplify American ingenuity. And to stimulate the next generation of American inventors, Nevada has Camp Invention, a summer educational outreach program for children, sponsored by the USPTO and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Camp Invention runs 15 weeklong camps throughout Nevada designed to encourage the creative process that leads to problem solving, discovery and invention.

“The President’s American Competitiveness Initiative will encourage innovation through new federal funding for research, tax certainty for research and development, and strengthening education in math and science,” Dudas said. “ACI will reinforce what Nevada is already doing.”

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USPTO to Hold Seminar on China's Impact on Intellectual Property

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at February 2, 2006 07:02 AM

USPTO to Hold Seminar on China's Impact on Intellectual Property
Atlanta, Georgia, March 2 - 3, 2006

Continuing its efforts to help U.S. businesses protect their intellectual property in China, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is sponsoring a seminar on "China's Impact on Intellectual Property: Understanding the New Realities within a Global Economy," on Thursday and Friday, March 2 and 3, 2006, at the Hyatt Regency-Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

The free, two-day program will provide comprehensive information on protecting and enforcing intellectual property in China for companies of any size -- from those contemplating entering the China market to those with an established presence in China as well as those who simply want to know more about better protecting themselves against IP theft from abroad.

Topics will include a review of China's laws and regulations that may affect how a business protects and enforces its intellectual property, how best to protect business assets to avoid intellectual property problems from China in the first place, how to recognize when an intellectual property asset has been infringed, what to do if infringement occurs, and what the U.S. government is doing to improve the intellectual property protection and enforcement environment in China for U.S. industry. Speakers at the seminar will include representatives from U.S. law firms servicing clients in China, Chinese law firms representing U.S. companies, academic experts on China's intellectual property system, representatives from various U.S. companies, Chinese government officials, and members of the USPTO's China intellectual property rights team.

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USPTO Mourns the Death of Former Commissioner Banner

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at January 31, 2006 11:24 AM

USPTO Mourns the Death of Former Commissioner Banner

Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office Jon Dudas issued the following statement upon learning of the death on January 29, 2006, of Donald W. Banner, a former Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks (1978-1979).

"On behalf of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, I want to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Donald W. Banner. “As Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, President of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, and in many other capacities, Don worked tirelessly to promote respect for intellectual property. He gained national attention for intellectual property rights when he led the bicentennial celebration of U.S. patent and copyright law in 1990. Don Banner and his important efforts to encourage innovation will long be remembered by our Office and by inventors across America."

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USPTO to Hold IP Conference for California Small Businesses on Protecting Their Intellectual Property From Theft

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at January 29, 2006 07:59 AM

USPTO to Hold IP Conference for California Small Businesses on Protecting Their Intellectual Property From Theft

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will open a two-day conference for small businesses on “Intellectual Property in the Global Marketplace” on Monday, February 27 at the Westin Horton Plaza Hotel, 910 Broadway Circle, San Diego, California. The conference is part of STOP (Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy) a major federal government effort to protect American businesses from falling victim to intellectual property theft - both domestically and abroad.

In today's global marketplace, an individual or a business halfway around the world can steal American products and branding without the rightful owner even being aware of it. Small businesses are particularly at risk because they may lack the knowledge and expertise to effectively combat such theft. In recognition of this need, USPTO is hosting a series of seminars across the country to help educate American small businesses about the realities of piracy and counterfeiting and steps they can take to protect themselves.

During the two-day seminar, patent, trademark and copyright experts and lawyers from the USPTO will provide small- and medium-sized businesses, entrepreneurs, and independent inventors interested in manufacturing or selling their products abroad with specific details and useful tips about protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights in the United States and around the world.

A day-two feature will be one-on-one consultations with intellectual property experts available for conference attendees.

There is no charge for the conference, but seating is limited.

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USPTO Co-Sponsors Invention Contest

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at December 14, 2005 08:32 AM

USPTO Co-Sponsors Invention Contest
$25,000 Top Prize Winner Featured on History Channel - Deadline for Entries: December 31

The United States Patent and Trademark Office is joining the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the History Channel in sponsoring the Modern Marvels Invent Now Challenge. This is a new contest that invites the everyday inventor to share their vision and ingenious design with the world. Twenty-five semi-finalists will have the opportunity to be recognized, have their invention exhibited and receive valuable information to help them realize the full potential of their invention.. The most remarkable invention submitted will be named the 2006 “Modern Marvel of the Year.” The inventor will win $25,000 and be featured on the History Channel during a special Invention Week of Modern Marvels programs. The deadline for entry is December 31.

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USPTO Receives Record Number of Patent and Trademark Applications for 2005

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at November 23, 2005 09:05 AM

 

USPTO Receives Record Number of Patent and Trademark Applications for 2005

In fiscal year 2005, the Department of Commerce’s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) received a record number of patent and trademark applications. The agency received 406,302 patent applications, and 323,501 applications for trademark registration as reported in its fiscal year 2005 Performance and Accountability Report released last week.

"During fiscal year 2005, the USPTO continued its efforts to make the world's best patent and trademark office even better," Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas commented. "We developed aggressive new reform proposals that will enhance quality and improve productivity. This was accomplished while we maintained our commitment to strengthen intellectual property protection and fought piracy and counterfeiting through a variety of educational outreach programs."

The USPTO granted 165,485 patents, including 151,079 utility (inventions), 13,395 design, and 816 plant patents. Since 1790, over seven million U.S. patents have been granted.

U.S. resident inventors received 85,238 U.S. patents in fiscal year 2005. California resident inventors received the highest share (23 percent, 19,928 patents) of these patents, followed by inventors from New York (7 percent, 5,631 patents), Texas (7 percent, 5,660 patents), Michigan (5 percent, 3,907 patents), and Massachusetts (4 percent, 3,443 patents).

The USPTO registered 143,396 trademarks and renewed 32,279 registrations in fiscal year 2005. Over 3 million trademarks have been registered since the first in 1870. At the end of fiscal year 2005, there were 1,255,570 active trademark registrations.

For the complete report, see: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/annual/2005/2005annualreport.pdf.

Download PDF Viewer

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USPTO’s 2005 Performance and Accountability Report Now Available

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at November 20, 2005 09:04 AM

 USPTO’s 2005 Performance and Accountability Report Now Available

The United States Patent and Trademark Office’s annual Performance and Accountability Report is now posted on our website. The report provides a comprehensive account of the agency’s programmatic activities for the year as well as production and financial data for FY 2005.

The 2002, 2003 and 2004 reports received the Association of Government Accountants’ prestigious Certificate of Excellence.

 

 

 

 

You can access the report at the following URL:  http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/annual/2005/index.html

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USPTO Co-Sponsors Invention Contest

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at November 14, 2005 05:16 PM

USPTO Co-Sponsors Invention Contest $25,000 Top Prize Winner Featured on History Channel

The United States Patent and Trademark Office is joining the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the History Channel in sponsoring the Modern Marvels Invent Now Challenge. This is a new contest that invites the everyday inventor to share their vision and ingenious design with the world. Twenty-five semi-finalists will have the opportunity to be recognized, have their invention exhibited and receive valuable information to help them realize the full potential of their invention.. The most remarkable invention submitted will be named the 2006 “Modern Marvel of the Year.” The inventor will win $25,000 and be featured on the History Channel during a special Invention Week of Modern Marvels programs. The deadline for entry is December 31.

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United States and Australian Patent Offices Launch Pilot Project on International Search and Examination Services

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at November 6, 2005 11:07 AM

 United States and Australian Patent Offices Launch Pilot Project on International Search and Examination Services
Pilot part of USPTO effort to reduce backlog of U.S. national patent applications

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and IP Australia, Australia ’s national patent office, has initiated a pilot project to test the feasibility of IP Australia performing search and examination services for the USPTO on international applications filed with the USPTO under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

The pilot, launched last week, is part of ongoing USPTO efforts to bring down the growing backlog of U.S. national patent applications waiting to be examined.

Each year, the USPTO receives nearly 50,000 PCT international applications in addition to over 350,000 national applications. The USPTO is testing whether, by having international applications processed elsewhere, it can dedicate more resources to examining the 600,000 national applications currently in the pipeline, with the goal of increasing productivity and enhancing quality.

Under the terms of the pilot project, IP Australia will process 100 PCT applications covering a wide range of technologies. The USPTO will review IP Australia’s work to ensure that it meets USPTO standards for quality and accuracy.

“Efficient and high quality government operations are cornerstones of the President’s Management Agenda and guiding principles for this effort,” said Jon Dudas, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. “A large backlog is bad for U.S. innovation and bad for the U.S. economy. The ability to reallocate resources from PCT-related activities to search and examination of U.S. national applications will allow us to open another front in our battle to reduce our growing backlog.”

Explaining the benefits of the project for his office, IP Australia Director General Dr. Ian Heath noted that “by assisting the USPTO to process applications filed under the PCT, IP Australia will continue to move towards its vision of being an office of choice.” “This opportunity also provides a means for enhancing our international reputation as a quality International Search and Preliminary Examination Authority under the PCT, providing world-class intellectual property services which promote innovation, investment and international competitiveness for the benefit of all Australians,” Dr. Heath said.

The PCT is an international agreement that simplifies the filing of patent applications in its 128 member states. A PCT application may be used as a national application for a patent in any of the designated PCT countries. International applicants request PCT search and examination reports to help them determine if an application meets basic patent criteria before committing to the high cost of translating and filing an application in one or more PCT countries. The USPTO and IP Australia are among the national patent offices authorized to conduct PCT searches and examinations.

The pilot project tracks recommendations in the USPTO “21st Century Strategic Plan” and builds on the long history of cooperation between the the USPTO and IP Australia.

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USPTO Hosts Chinese Lawmakers

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at October 21, 2005 03:04 PM

 USPTO Hosts Chinese Lawmakers

This week, the United States Patent and Trademark Office hosted a conference for senior-level copyright lawmakers from China on “Internet Copyright Issues in China and the United States: Implementing the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty.”

The Chinese lawmakers are drafting legislation that will implement two World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Internet treaties in China — the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty. In the Joint Committee on Commerce and Trade meetings this summer, China committed to submitting the legislative and regulatory package to join the WIPO treaties by 2006.

On Tuesday, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas met with the group, noting that China has the second-largest number of Internet users in the world. “Without adequate and effective copyright protection in China for Chinese intellectual property, a Chinese electronic marketplace for copyrighted works cannot develop,” Mr. Dudas said.

The WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, concluded in 1996, are critical parts of the basic legal framework for electronic commerce. The treaties update international copyright standards for the digital realm, clarifying that the traditional rights of copyright apply in cyberspace. The United States implemented these important WIPO Internet treaties through passage of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act in 1998.

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USPTO Videos Now Available Online

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at October 3, 2005 03:14 PM

 

Videos about current issues and events at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) are now available on this website. There are currently three videos posted. Topics covered include highlights of the USPTO’s annual independent inventors conference and a video targeted at young people to educate them on the consequences of copying and downloading music and other entertainment from unauthorized sources.

The featured video this month deals with the vital issues of protecting geographical indications. It explains the United States government’s position regarding a type of intellectual property that indicates the origin of goods or services in a particular geographic area with particular characteristics. Some examples are Parma Ham, Roquefort Cheese, Florida Oranges and Idaho Potatoes.

Geographical indications (GIs) are an important topic because of the ongoing debate at the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding whether the international rules for the protection of GIs at the national level are sufficient or should be rewritten to accommodate some WTO Members’ trading goals. There are some WTO Members demanding a rewrite of the international rules in order to accomplish worldwide automatic protection for their geographical indications. Such a system would extinguish many uses of generic terms like parmesan, feta, sherry, or champagne in the United States and other WTO Members and would negatively impact the existing trademark uses of these types of terms, even to the point of potentially eliminating the registration of any geographic term as part of a trademark. Such proposals would obviously have a significant and decidedly negative impact on the U.S. trademark system and on U.S. producers and exporters. This video was designed by the USPTO and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to outline the U.S. protection system for GIs and to address some concerns about changing the international rules for GIs.

You can view the videos at the following URL:  http://www.uspto.gov/video/index.htm

 

 

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U.S. Government Brings Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Program to South Florida

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at September 26, 2005 08:47 PM

 U.S. Government Brings Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Program to South Florida
Efforts Focus on Small Businesses, Particularly Those Investing In or Exporting to Latin America

U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas on Monday warned an audience of South Florida small-businessmen and –women that they are increasingly at risk of overseas intellectual property theft -- even if they do not export -- and urged them to consider protective action.

In his remarks before the “Conference on the Global Intellectual Property Marketplace,” sponsored by the Commerce Department’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Dudas cited Florida’s export-dependant [sic] economy—particularly those small businesses that export to Latin America--as a major reason why businesses in the state should make intellectual property protection in the United States and overseas a priority business decision.

“More than 90% of Florida’s exporters are small and medium-sized businesses. While trade allows these businesses to enter into new markets and grow their bottom lines, it also makes them especially vulnerable to intellectual property theft abroad,” Dudas said. “The goal of this seminar and other efforts by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office here in Miami is to arm Florida’s small businesses with the information they need to protect their intellectual property assets in the U.S. and anywhere around the world they conduct business.”

While counterfeiting and piracy pose a serious threat to all American businesses, small businesses are particularly at risk because they often lack the knowledge and expertise to effectively combat it. Because small businesses typically do not have personnel or maintain large operations in other countries, theft of their intellectual property overseas can go undetected.

The Miami seminar is the latest in a series the USPTO is hosting across the country to help educate American small businesses about the realities of piracy and counterfeiting. During the two-day seminar in Miami, intellectual property experts from the agency are providing attendees with details and useful tips about protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights in the United States and around the world. Previously, USPTO seminars were held in Salt Lake City, Utah; Phoenix, Arizona; and in Austin, Texas.

The Miami seminar represents one of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s many efforts to educate small businesses about intellectual property protection. Currently, the agency is conducting a nationwide awareness campaign that is providing information to small businesses about when to file for intellectual property protection, what type of protection to file for, where to file and how to go about it. The effort features outreach targeting industry sectors especially at risk of intellectual property theft, a Web site specifically designed to address the needs of small businesses, and informational materials informing small businesses about the problem and steps they can take to mitigate it. Materials and other information about the awareness campaign are available at www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness.

The campaign, in turn, is part of a much larger USPTO and federal government effort. The Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!) initiative, also directed at small businesses, aims to combat criminal networks that traffic in fakes, stop trade in pirated and counterfeit goods at America’s borders and help small businesses secure and enforce their rights in overseas markets. As part of the initiative, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office maintains a toll-free telephone hotline, 1-866-999-HALT, that helps businesses leverage the resources of the U.S. government to protect their intellectual property rights.

Since Miami is viewed by many to be America’s gateway to Latin America, the USPTO also placed an intellectual property attorney in Miami, Florida earlier this month to serve as an on-the-ground expert in all facets of intellectual property protection and enforcement for Latin America. USPTO’s legal expert will routinely meet with representatives from Latin American nations to advise them on intellectual property policy and provide technical training and guidance on understanding complex intellectual property issues.

For more information about the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s effort to educate American businesses about intellectual property rights, visit www.stopfakes.gov.

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Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez Announces USPTO-Related IPR Initiatives

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at September 24, 2005 07:08 AM

Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez Announces USPTO-Related IPR Initiatives

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez this week unveiled new Bush administration initiatives to fight intellectual property theft. The new initiatives include the appointment of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Experts in key overseas countries including Brazil, China, India and Russia, a new Small Business Outreach program to educate U.S. small businesses on how to protect their intellectual property rights, and a Global Intellectual Property Academy that will provide training programs for foreign government officials on global IPR issues.

“The protection of intellectual property is vital to our economic growth and global competitiveness and it has major consequences in our ongoing effort to promote security and stability around the world,” Gutierrez said. “The Bush administration is committed to stopping trade in pirated and counterfeit goods. Theft of intellectual property is not tolerated and will not be tolerated.”

The small business outreach initiative includes a Web site; www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness that is specifically designed to answer common questions of small business so they can better identify and address their IP protection needs. Additionally, the Department of Commerce is working closely with organizations like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers to help spread the word about the benefits of filing for IP protection both domestically and abroad.

Informational materials have been developed that can be downloaded off the Web site to help small businesses through the often complicated world of intellectual property protection. Small businesses are also being alerted to the resources available to them through advertising on Web sites they commonly turns to, such as Inc. Magazine.

The USPTO will continue to hold small-business outreach seminars all across the country to give Americans face-to-face contact with government IP experts. The next seminar will be held this coming Monday and Tuesday in Miami, FL.

The IPR experts in embassies will advocate for U.S. intellectual property policy and interests, conduct training on IPR matters and assist U.S. businesses. The program builds on the success of previous IPR expert postings in Geneva, Switzerland and China.

The Global IPR Academy is an aggressive expansion of existing training, technical assistance and capacity-building programs of the USPTO. The expanded academy will offer a full catalogue of both general overview courses and ones more focused on a variety of specialized IPR topics. It will be located at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.

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U.S. GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESSES IN COMBATING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY THEFT

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at September 21, 2005 01:09 PM

 
U.S. GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESSES IN COMBATING
Miami Event Part of National Crackdown on Counterfeiting, Piracy

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas will join hundreds of Florida small-businessmen and -women for a conference on the “Global Intellectual Property Marketplace” on September 26-27, 2005 in Miami, Fla. The event is part of the federal Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP), a major USPTO and U.S. government effort to protect American businesses from falling victim to intellectual property theft, both at home and abroad.

During the two-day Miami seminar, patent, trademark and copyright experts as well as lawyers from the USPTO will provide small- and medium-sized businesses, entrepreneurs and independent inventors with useful tips on protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights in the United States and around the world.

WHAT: “Global Intellectual Property Marketplace” seminar

Remarks on the global intellectual property marketplace and how small businesses, including those in Florida, are increasingly at risk of intellectual property theft

 
WHO: The Honorable Jon W. Dudas, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
Florida small-business owners 
WHEN: September 26-27, 2005
WHERE: Marriott Miami Airport
Grand Ballroom
1201 NW LeJeune Road
Miami, FL

Information about the seminars and other USPTO efforts to educate small businesses can be found at www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness.

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COMMERCE SECRETARY GUTIERREZ NAMES NEW MEMBERS TO PATENT AND TRADEMARK PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEES

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at September 20, 2005 01:02 PM

 

COMMERCE SECRETARY GUTIERREZ NAMES NEW MEMBERS TO
PATENT AND TRADEMARK PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEES

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez recently named three new members to the Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) and three to the Trademark Public Advisory Committee (TPAC). They will serve three-year terms on the committees, which were created by the 1999 American Inventors Protection Act to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on the agency's operations, including its goals, performance, budget and user fees. The committees have nine voting members who are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of Commerce.

The new PPAC members are:

Maximilian A. Grant, an associate in the litigation department of the Washington, D.C. office of Latham & Watkins. He is the local chair for the intellectual property and technology practice group. He joined Latham & Watkins in 2002 after serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense.

Gerald J. Mossinghoff, senior counsel to Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier and Neustadt, an intellectual property law firm in Alexandria, Va. He is a former Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks and former president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

Lisa Norton, an attorney at DLA Piper, Rudnick, Gray, Cary US LLP. Prior to this position, she practiced in the Washington, D.C. office of King & Spalding. Her practice focuses on all aspects of patent law.

The new TPAC members are:

Ayala Deutsch, vice president and senior intellectual property counsel at NBA Properties, Inc., in New York. Her specialties include trademark law, copyright law and Internet law. Ms. Deutsch is a member of the board of directors of the International Trademark Association and co-chairs the New York State Bar Association Committee on Sports Law.

Van H. Leichliter, intellectual property leader and corporate counsel-trademarks at DuPont Corporate. He is a member of the government relations committee of the International Trademark Association.

Albert Tramposch, director of trademark registry services, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in Washington, D.C. He has practiced exclusively in the area of intellectual property law for more than 19 years, and has worked in private practice in Alexandria, Va., Seattle, Wash., and Washington, D.C.

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U.S. Government Official Educates Texas Children About Intellectual Property Theft

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at September 14, 2005 09:30 AM

 

U.S. Government Official Educates Texas Children About Intellectual Property Theft
Official Reminds Kids that Illegal Downloading, Copying is a Crime

U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Stephen Pinkos asked elementary students in Austin to help combat piracy, counterfeiting and copyright violations by refraining from illegally copying and downloading music, movies, software and computer games. Pinkos reminded the children that copying or downloading others’ property without their permission is a crime and that such theft has real consequences on our economy. Pinkos delivered his remarks to approximately 300 students at Gattis Elementary School in Round Rock, Texas on Tuesday.

“Intellectual property can be anything-a car, medicine, a toy, a video game or a CD-as long as the product began as an idea,” Pinkos told the students. “It is important that people-especially children-show respect for others' property. That includes not illegally copying and downloading video games and movies from the Internet. This is not okay-it's breaking the law.”

Pinkos' appearance at Gattis Elementary School came as part of his visit to Austin, where he and the USPTO hosted a two-day “Conference on the Global Intellectual Property Marketplace” on September 12-13, 2005. The seminar was the third in a series that the USPTO is hosting across the county to help educate American small businesses about the realities of piracy and counterfeiting.

For more information about the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s effort to educate Americans about intellectual property rights, visit www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness.

>> view our anti-piracy

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Under Secretary Dudas before the Subcommittee on Courts, The Internet, and Intellectual Property Committee on The Judiciary United States House of Representatives “USPTO Oversight Hearing”

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at September 12, 2005 08:45 PM

Under Secretary Dudas before the Subcommittee on Courts, The Internet, and Intellectual Property Committee on The Judiciary United States House of Representatives "USPTO Oversight Hearing"

(a .pdf of the Statement of Under Secretary Jon Dudas for the September 8, 2005 hearing of the House Subcommittee on Courts, The Internet, and Intellectual Property is available at the following link: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/speeches/2005sep08.pdf)

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U.S. Government Official to Remind Texas Schoolchildren That Illegal Downloading and Copying is a Crime

U.S. Government Official to Remind Texas Schoolchildren That Illegal Downloading and Copying is a Crime
Kids to Be Taught the Value of Respecting Others’ Intellectual Property

Austin, Texas –U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Stephen Pinkos will stress the importance of respecting others’ intellectual property in remarks before the third, fourth and fifth grade classes at Gattis Elementary School on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 8:30 a.m. In his remarks, Pinkos will remind students that downloading and copying music, movies and video games without the permission of the artists’ or copyright holders’ permission is illegal. Pinkos will also talk to the children about the importance of intellectual property and describe the value of patents, copyrights and trademarks throughout American history.

The young inventors at Gattis Elementary School are participating in Camp Invention, a weeklong enrichment day camp offered to children entering the first through sixth grades. The program is co-sponsored by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
WHO:  

“Stephen M. Pinkos, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
WHAT:  Remarks to local children on the importance of intellectual property, copyrights and trademarks
WHEN:  Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 8:30 a.m.
WHERE:  Gattis Elementary School
2920 Round Rock Ranch
Round Rock, TX 78664
Phone: 512-428-2000
WEB:  Visit http://www.uspto.gov/ to learn more about the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Information about the seminars and other USPTO efforts to educate small businesses can be found at www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness.

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U.S. GOVERNMENT URGES TEXAS BUSINESSES TO PROTECT THEIR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY FROM THEFT OVERSEAS

U.S. GOVERNMENT URGES TEXAS BUSINESSES TO PROTECT
THEIR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY FROM THEFT OVERSEAS
Small Businesses Particularly Vulnerable, Says U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

Austin, Texas – U. S. Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Steven Pinkos and U.S. Representative Lamar Smith (TX-21) today warned an audience of Austin small-businessmen and -women that they are increasingly vulnerable to overseas intellectual property theft -- even if they do not export -- and urged them to consider protective action.

In remarks before the “Conference on the Global Intellectual Property Marketplace,” sponsored by the Commerce Department’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Pinkos and Smith urged the audience to consider intellectual property protection in the United States and overseas a priority business decision. Pinkos noted that 90 percent of the companies exporting goods from Texas in 2002 were small- and medium-sized firms. Pinkos referred the audience to the USPTO’s new Web site, www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness, for information about how they can protect their businesses.

“Texas’ innovators and inventors are among the best that our country has to offer, and the intellectual property that they develop is critical to the U.S. economy as a whole,” Pinkos said. “This seminar in Austin will educate Texas small business owners and arm them with the information they need to protect their intellectual property and continue to grow our economy.”

Congressman Lamar Smith, Chairman of the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property, also attended the seminar and emphasized the importance of new legislation supporting intellectual property rights.

While theft of intellectual property poses a serious threat to all American businesses, small businesses are particularly vulnerable because they often lack the knowledge and expertise to effectively combat it. Because small businesses typically do not have personnel or maintain large operations in other countries, theft of their intellectual property overseas can go undetected.

The Austin seminar is the third in a series the USPTO is hosting across the country to help educate American small businesses about the realities of piracy and counterfeiting. During the two-day seminar (September 12-13, 2005) in Austin, intellectual property experts from the agency are providing attendees with details and useful tips about protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights in the United States and around the world. The next seminar will be held September 26-27 in Miami, Florida.

The Austin seminar represents one of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s many efforts to educate small businesses about intellectual property protection. Currently, the agency is conducting a nationwide awareness campaign that helps small businesses know when to file for intellectual property protection, what type of protection to file for, where to file and how to go about it. The effort features outreach targeting industry sectors especially at risk of intellectual property theft, a Web site specifically designed to address the needs of small businesses, and free informational materials informing small businesses about the problem and steps they can take to mitigate it.

The campaign, in turn, is part of a much larger government effort. The Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!) initiative aims to combat criminal networks that traffic in fakes, stop trade in pirated and counterfeit goods at America’s borders and help small businesses secure and enforce their rights in overseas markets. As part of the initiative, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office maintains a toll-free telephone hotline, 1-866-999-HALT, that helps businesses leverage the resources of the U.S. government to protect their intellectual property rights.

For more information about the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s effort to educate American businesses about intellectual property rights, visit www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness.

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U.S. Government Takes Intellectual Property Protection Campaign to Texas Small Businesses Events in Austin to Educate Small Businesses about Rising IP Theft in China, other high-risk nations

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at September 7, 2005 05:17 PM

MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact:
Brigid Quinn
571-272-8400
brigid.quinn@uspto.gov

Neil Grace
(202) 530-4558
 

September 7, 2005
#05-42

U.S. Government Takes Intellectual Property Protection Campaign to Texas Small Businesses
Events in Austin to Educate Small Businesses about Rising IP Theft in China, other high-risk nations

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Stephen Pinkos and U.S. Representative Lamar Smith (TX-21) will join hundreds of Texas small-businessmen and -women for a conference on the “Global Intellectual Property Marketplace” on September 12-13, 2005 in Austin Texas. The event is part of the federal Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP), a major U.S. government effort to protect American businesses from falling victim to intellectual property theft, both at home and abroad.

During the two-day Austin seminar, patent, trademark and copyright experts as well as lawyers from the USPTO will provide small- and medium-sized businesses, entrepreneurs and independent inventors with useful tips on protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights in the United States and around the world.
WHAT:  

“Global Intellectual Property Marketplace” seminar

Remarks on the global intellectual property marketplace and how small businesses, including those in Texas, are increasingly at risk of intellectual property theft

Media availabilities with Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce Stephen Pinkos to discuss U.S. government’s response to intellectual property theft.
WHO:  The Honorable Stephen Pinkos, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property
The Honorable Lamar Smith, U.S. House of Representatives
Texas small-business owners
WHEN:  September 12-13, 2005
WHERE:  Hyatt Regency
Texas Ballroom
208 Barton Springs
Austin, Texas

Information about the seminars and other USPTO efforts to educate small businesses can be found at www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness.

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USPTO Museum Open in Alexandria

 

USPTO Museum Open in Alexandria

The public is invited to visit the United States Patent and Trademark (USPTO) Museum to learn about America’s inventive spirit and marvel at the ingenuity of mankind. Today, U.S. innovation is one of our most treasured and envied assets. The USPTO works to record, share, and preserve this inventive spirit.

“The United States Patent and Trademark Office Museum showcases the innovation and creativity of Americans. We hope it will inspire a new generation of Americans to explore, create, and contribute to the prosperity of this great nation,” noted Under Secretary Jon Dudas.

Since the beginning of time, people have been developing better ways to do things, and for over 200 years the American patent and trademark systems have been there to protect and encourage innovation. Everyone benefits, and that story is told well in the opening exhibit, The Invention Machine: A Day in My Life.

The museum’s visitors will realize that they take advantage of inventions and rely on trademarks every day of their lives without ever stopping to think of their origins. Visitors will see how intellectual property is found in the routines they follow at the beginning of the day, in methods they use for travel, in medical innovations they rely upon for good health, and in the different ways they relax and play. The Invention Machine: A Day in My Life will run through January 2006.

The museum and gift shop are located in the atrium of the Madison Building, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA, and easily accessible from the King Street and Eisenhower Avenue Metro stations. The hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and noon to 5:00 p.m. Saturday; closed on Sundays and federal holidays. School groups are most welcome and encouraged to schedule a tour.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office Museum and Store were developed and are maintained by the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation.

>> Directions to the museum
>> Schedule a museum tour

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US Patent Office Scammers

Posted by Douglas Sorocco at September 5, 2005 10:34 AM

An entity or person issuing a document, for example, a "certificate," allegedly by the Chief Financial Officer of the United States Patent and Trademark Office for payment of USPTO fees and lawyer fees is NOT affiliated with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The United States Patent and Trademark Office does NOT issue such "certificates." If you have any questions, please call the Office of Independent Inventor Programs at (703) 306-5568. (06Nov2001)

An entity doing business as the 'United States Trademark Protection Agency' is NOT affiliated with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. (14Jul2001)

Report or read more about Scams & Fraud (Consumer Sentinel) • FTC: "Facts for Consumers" Invention Promotion Firms Brochure
Report Complaint re: Invention Promoter [PDF] also Fillable PDF version

 

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Contact Information for USPTO Customers Affected by Hurricane Katrina

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at September 2, 2005 10:35 AM

    Contact Information for USPTO Customers Affected by Hurricane Katrina

    Patents

    USPTO customers in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina who have questions or problems regarding patent applications or other patent proceedings should contact Eugenia Jones at 571-272-7727 or eugenia.jones@uspto.gov. For questions or problems regarding Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences (BPAI) matters, please contact Craig Feinberg at 571-272-9797 or craig.feinberg@uspto.gov.

    The content of and status information for USPTO files of published and patented applications are available on the USPTO web site via public PAIR at http://portal.uspto.gov/external/portal/pair. The content of and status information for other applications are maintained in confidence and are available on the USPTO web site only to persons having authority to access the application via private PAIR. Additional information on private PAIR is available at http://www.uspto.gov/main/faq/p120pair016.htm.

    Trademarks

    USPTO customers in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina who have questions or problems regarding trademark applications or registrations should contact Janis Long at 571-272-9573 or janis.long@uspto.gov. For questions or problems regarding Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) matters, please contact David Mermelstein at 571-272-4292 or david.mermelstein@uspto.gov.
    The contents of USPTO files for trademark applications, many registrations, and international applications filed under the Madrid Protocol, are available on the USPTO website at http://portal.uspto.gov/external/portal/tow. If a party needs a file that is not available on the USPTO web site, the party may e-mail a request to add the contents of that file to the USPTO database to TM_Scanning@uspto.gov.

    Status information about trademark applications, registrations and international applications filed under the Madrid Protocol is also available on the USPTO web site at http://tarr.uspto.gov.

    Information about TTAB proceedings is available in the TTABVue database at http://ttabvue.uspto.gov//ttabvue.

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USPTO Announces Seminars for Texas and Florida Businesses on Protecting Their Intellectual Property from Theft

Posted by Stephen M. Nipper at August 30, 2005 10:19 AM

USPTO Announces Seminars for Texas and Florida Businesses on Protecting Their Intellectual Property from Theft
Part of federal government’s Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP) efforts to combat intellectual property theft in China and other high-risk nations

The USPTO will open a two-day conference for small businesses on “Intellectual Property in the Global Marketplace” on Monday, September 12, 2005, at the Hyatt Regency, 208 Barton Springs Road in Austin, TX and on Monday, September 26 at the Marriott Miami, 1201 NW LeJeune Road in Miami, FL. These two events, sponsored by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), are part of STOP (Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy) a major federal government effort to protect American businesses from falling victim to intellectual property theft — both domestically and abroad.

In today's global marketplace, American products and branding can be stolen by an individual or a business halfway around the world without the rightful owner even being aware of it. Small businesses are particularly at risk because they may lack the knowledge and expertise to effectively combat such theft. In recognition of this need, USPTO is hosting a series of seminars across the country to help educate American small businesses about the realities of piracy and counterfeiting and steps they can take to protect themselves.

During the two-day seminars, patent, trademark and copyright experts and lawyers from the USPTO will provide small- and medium-sized businesses, entrepreneurs, and independent inventors interested in manufacturing or selling their products abroad with specific details and useful tips about protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights in the United States and around the world. Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Steve Pinkos will kick off the seminar in Austin.

There is no charge for the conference, but seating is limited. For more information and to register for either the Austin or Miami conference, select one of the follwing links:
Austin, TX – September 12-13
Miami, FL – September 26-27

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U.S. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CHIEF SALUTES AMERICA’S INDEPENDENT INVENTORS

Posted by J Matthew Buchanan at August 21, 2005 11:11 PM

 

Alexandria, VA – U. S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas today asked independent inventors to protect American ingenuity by safeguarding their inventions from intellectual property theft. Small businesses—such as independent inventors—are often at particular risk for IP theft, a growing problem around the world. Dudas urged attendees at the 10th annual Independent Inventor’s Conference to make patent, trademark and copyright protection a core part of their business strategy.

“The strength of our nation’s economy rests on the ingenuity of American inventors,” Dudas said. “In the 21st century, securing protection for your inventions is almost as important as the invention itself.”
“As inventors turn their ideas and discoveries into viable, marketable products, it is critically important for them to get the protection they need to safeguard their inventions and help protect our overall economy,” he continued.

From Willis Carrier’s air conditioning to Clarence Birdseye’s frozen food technology, independent inventors have shaped the American economy throughout history. More than 200 independent inventors at the conference heard from Al Langer, the engineer on the medical team that invented the first automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator, a life-saving device. Langer’s device has revolutionized the way doctors treat heart patients, and his success as an inventor and entrepreneur provided valuable insights for conference attendees.

“Throughout history, inventors have helped people discover new worlds, build communities, and cure sickness and disease, said Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Steve Pinkos. “This conference celebrates all that inventors have accomplished in our nation’s history, and will create in the future.”

The U.S. continues to be the driver of ingenuity around the world, evidenced by the surge in patent, trademark and copyright applications from inventors and the resulting patents issued by USPTO. In 2004, the USPTO received more than 376,000 applications for patents, and patent applications have more than doubled since 1992. In fact, the USPTO issued more patents in 2004 than it did during its first 40 years.

Dudas and Pinkos also used their remarks to talk to inventors about what the U.S. government is doing to combat intellectual property theft. While they pointed out that intellectual property theft poses a threat to all American businesses, both officials said that most small businesses and independent inventors are particularly at risk because they often lack the knowledge and expertise to effectively combat it. To address this, Dudas said that the USPTO is hosting the Independent Inventor’s Conference—which is co-sponsored by the National Inventors’ Hall of Fame—and a series of seminars across the country to help educate American inventors and small businesses about the realities of piracy and counterfeiting. During these events, intellectual property experts from the agency will provide attendees with details and useful tips about protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights in the United States and around the world.

The USPTO is also currently conducting a nationwide awareness campaign that is providing information to small businesses about when to file for intellectual property protection, what type of protection to file for, where to file and how to go about it. The effort features outreach targeting industry sectors especially at risk of intellectual property theft, a Web site specifically designed to address the needs of small businesses, and informational materials informing small businesses about the problem and steps they can take to mitigate it. Materials and other information about the awareness campaign are available at www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness.

For more information about the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s effort to educate American small businesses about intellectual property rights, visit www.stopfake.gov/smallbusiness or www.uspto.gov.

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Bush Administration Official Reminds Arizona Children that U.S. Intellectual Property Protection Begins With Them

 U. S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas on Monday asked elementary students attending Camp Invention to help combat piracy, counterfeiting and copyright violations by refraining from illegally copying and downloading music, movies, software, and computer games. Dudas reminded the children that copying or downloading others’ property without their permission is a crime, and that this crime has real economic consequences for our economy. Dudas addressed eighty 2nd – 6th graders participating in Camp Invention at Lone Mountain Elementary School in Cave Creek, Arizona.

“Illegally copying computer games, DVDs and other products is just as wrong as stealing these items from the store,” Dudas said. “Copying and downloading Star Wars video games and movies is not okay—it’s breaking the law because it is stealing someone else’s property. It’s up to all of us to show respect for others’ property, whether it’s our next- door neighbor, our classmate or a company that’s far away.”

Camp Invention, cosponsored by the USPTO and the National Inventors Hall of Fame, is a nationwide educational outreach program designed to give children in grades 2-6 an alternative to traditional classroom experiences. Camp Invention's purpose is to stimulate the imaginations of America's next generation of inventors, and the weeklong day camp builds on a child's innate curiosity and intuition about the way things work. Emphasis is placed on the creative process that leads children to problem solving, discovery and invention.

In sessions such as “I Can Invent,” campers take apart old appliances and use the parts to create their own inventions. In another session, they simulate the process of applying for a patent. The thought-provoking learning experience teaches young people the importance of respecting people’s intellectual property just as they would any tangible property, as well as how the patent and trademark system works to support our economy.

Dudas also used his remarks to educate the students about what constitutes intellectual property, explaining that the term ‘intellectual property’ can be used to describe many products—a car, a medicine, a toy, a video game or a CD—as long as the product began as an idea. Dudas talked about patents, trademarks and copyrights and their importance to our nation’s economy and our daily lives. “The jobs of the future depend on our nation’s ability to continue to generate new inventions and innovations and to stay one step ahead of other nations in today’s global marketplace,” he said.

Dudas’ visit to Camp Invention was part of his visit to Phoenix, where he and the USPTO hosted a two-day “Conference on the Global Intellectual Property Marketplace” on July 18-19, 2005. The seminar was the second in a series that the USPTO is hosting across the county to help educate American small businesses about the realities of piracy and counterfeiting.

(20JUL2005)

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Government Seeks Help from Arizonal Schoolchildren in Fight against Illegal Downloading and Copying of Music, Movies, Video Games

 
Government Seeks Help from Arizonal Schoolchildren in Fight against Illegal Downloading and Copying of Music, Movies, Video Games

Message to be delivered during meeting with next generation of inventors, entrepreneurs in Cave Creek

Washington, D.C. – Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas will speak with young innovators attending Camp Invention at Lone Mountain Elementary School in Cave Creek, Arizona on July 19, 2005. Under Secretary Dudas will speak to students on the importance of intellectual property rights and remind them that downloading and copying music, movies and video games without the permission of the artists’ or copyright holders’ permission is illegal—and that the government needs their help in stopping these crimes. Dudas will also talk to the children about the importance of intellectual property, describing the value of patents, copyrights and trademarks to our economy.

Camp Invention, cosponsored by the USPTO and the National Inventors Hall of Fame, is a nationwide educational outreach program designed to give children an alternative to traditional classroom experiences. The weeklong day camp emphasizes problem-solving techniques while trying to stimulate the imaginations of America’s next generation of inventors. The experience provides children with an opportunity to explore new ideas while learning the importance of the patent and trademark system in our economy.

WHO: The Honorable Jon Dudas, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property, Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

WHAT: Discussion with elementary students attending Camp Invention

WHEN: Tuesday, July 19, 2005 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Lone Mountain Elementary School, 5250 E. Montgomery Road, Cave Creek, Arizona 85327

WEB: Visit http://www.uspto.gov/ to learn more about the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

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U.S. GOVERNMENT URGES ARIZONA'S BUSINESSES TO PROTECT THEIR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY FROM THEFT OVERSEAS

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT URGES ARIZONA'S BUSINESSES TO
PROTECT THEIR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY FROM THEFT OVERSEAS
Small Businesses Especially At Risk, Says U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

Phoenix, Arizona – U. S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas today warned an audience of Arizona small-businessmen and –women that they are increasingly at risk of overseas intellectual property theft -- even if they do not export -- and urged them to consider protective action. In his remarks before the “Conference on the Global Intellectual Property Marketplace,” sponsored by the Commerce Department’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Dudas cited Arizona’s export-dependant economy—particularly the state’s 300% increase in exports to China since 2000—as a major reason why businesses in the state should make intellectual property protection in the United States and overseas a priority business decision.

“Piracy and counterfeiting are on the rise around the world, and all American businesses--including the thousands of small businesses here in Arizona--are at risk,” Dudas said. “The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is sponsoring seminars like this one to arm small businesses with the information they need to protect their intellectual property, in the United States as well as around the world.”

While theft of intellectual property pose a serious threat to all American businesses, small businesses are particularly at risk because they often lack the knowledge and expertise to effectively combat it. Because small businesses typically do not have personnel or maintain large operations in other countries, theft of their intellectual property overseas can go undetected.

The Phoenix seminar is the second in a series the USPTO is hosting across the country to help educate American small businesses about the realities of piracy and counterfeiting. During the two-day seminar (July 18-19, 2005) in Phoenix, intellectual property experts from the agency are providing attendees with details and useful tips about protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights in the United States and around the world.

The Phoenix seminar represents one of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s many efforts to educate small businesses about intellectual property protection. Currently, the agency is conducting a nationwide awareness campaign that is providing information to small businesses about when to file for intellectual property protection, what type of protection to file for, where to file and how to go about it. The effort features outreach targeting industry sectors especially at risk of intellectual property theft, a Web site specifically designed to address the needs of small businesses, and informational materials informing small businesses about the problem and steps they can take to mitigate it. Materials and other information about the awareness campaign are available at www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness.

The campaign, in turn, is part of a much larger USPTO and federal government effort. The Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!) initiative, also directed at small businesses, aims to combat criminal networks that traffic in fakes, stop trade in pirated and counterfeit goods at America’s borders and help small businesses secure and enforce their rights in overseas markets. As part of the initiative, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office maintains a toll-free telephone hotline, 1-866-999-HALT, that helps businesses leverage the resources of the U.S. government to protect their intellectual property rights.

For more information about the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s effort to educate American businesses about intellectual property rights, visit www.uspto.gov.

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USPTO Museum Opens at New Headquarters

 

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Jon Dudas was joined today by Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille, U.S. Representatives Jim Moran and Frank Wolf, and David Fink, President and CEO of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony opening the agency’s new museum.

“The Patent and Trademark Office Museum is our opportunity to showcase innovation and the men and women whose creativity have helped foster a strong and prosperous America,” noted Under Secretary Dudas.

The National Inventors Hall of Fame and the exhibit design company Chermayeff & Geismar designed an exciting space in a modern aesthetic style using a rich palette of exhibit techniques—such as videos, interactives, artifacts and touch-screen technology—to feature patents, trademarks, inventors and inventions.

“The National Inventors Hall of Fame is pleased to bring the story of the USPTO to life,” said David Fink. “Through the state-of-the-art displays we’ve designed, we hope that visitors to the museum will take away an understanding of the USPTO’s rich history as well as its exciting future.”

Since the beginning of time, people have been developing better ways to do things, and for over 200 years the American patent and trademark systems have been there to protect and encourage innovation. Everyone benefits, and that story is told well in the opening exhibit, The Invention Machine: A Day in My Life.

The museum’s visitors will realize, as they view the exhibit, that they take advantage of inventions and rely on trademarks every day of their lives without ever stopping to think of their origins. Visitors will see how intellectual property is found in the routines they follow at the beginning of the day, in methods they use for travel, in medical innovations they rely upon for good health, and in the different ways they relax and play.

The museum and gift shop will open to the public on Thursday, July 14, 2005. It is located in the atrium of the Madison Building, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA, and easily accessible from the King Street and Eisenhower Avenue Metro stations. The hours will be 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday through Friday and noon to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; closed on Mondays and federal holidays.

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