Patent Examiner Training Seeking Expert Assistance

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is expanding its Patent Examiner Technical Training Program and requesting voluntary assistance from scientists, engineers, professors and industrial designers to participate as guest lecturers.

Those interested in being a guest lecturer are invited to submit a request via the online form available at http://www.uspto.gov/patents/pettp.jsp or by sending an email request to Examiner_Technical_Training@uspto.gov .

Download a PDF of a brochure explaining the details at: http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pettp_brochure201406.pdf.

Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) Timeout Period

Good news for those of you doing Trademark searching. The Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) session timeout period for system inactivity has now been expanded from 20 minutes to 30 minutes.

White House Hosting Maker Fair

On June 18, 2014 President Obama will host the first White House Maker Faire to celebrate the accomplishments of innovators and entrepreneurs of all ages and encourage their continued innovation and entrepreneurship. The Administration is working with "companies, mayors, colleges, libraries, museums, and many others" to promote being "makers of things, not just consumers of things."

For those who cannot come to the White House, June 18 will be a nationwide Day of Making. To views suggestions about ways for your community to participate, access the White House blog about this first maker faire.