USPTO Executive Speaking Engagements for the week of November 16

Monday, November 16 (7-9 a.m. ET)
USPTO Director Andrei Iancu
Trilateral (USPTO, Japan Patent Office, European Patent Office) Meeting
Impact of COVID and a new vision and framework for Trilateral Cooperation

Monday, November 16 (11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET)
USPTO Director Andrei Iancu
Southern University School of Law faculty and students
Expanding American innovation

Tuesday, November 17 (2-2:30 p.m. ET)
USPTO Director Andrei Iancu
International Trademark Association (INTA) 2020 Annual Meeting
Fireside chat on “Innovation and the Future of IP”

Wednesday, November 18 (5:30-6:30 p.m. ET)
USPTO Deputy Director Laura Peter
Georgia Intellectual Property Alliance
Fireside chat on “The Necessity of Expanding Innovation”

Thursday, November 19 (12:40-1:40 p.m. ET) 
USPTO Director Andrei Iancu
Howard University faculty and students
Expanding American innovation

Thursday, November 19 (2-3 p.m. ET) 
USPTO Director Andrei Iancu
University of Montana faculty and students
Expanding American innovation

Thursday, November 19 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET) 
USPTO Director Andrei Iancu
Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) Quarterly Meeting
Opening remarks

Thursday, November 19 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET) 
USPTO Deputy Director Laura Peter
Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) Quarterly Meeting
Artificial intelligence (AI) remarks 

Thursday, November 19 (4 p.m. ET) 
USPTO Director Andrei Iancu
The Sedona Conference
Keynote on AI, PTAB, and innovation during COVID

Thursday, November 19 (8-9 p.m. ET) 
USPTO Director Andrei Iancu
Colorado IP Inn of Court Meeting
Fireside chat on agency initiatives, Q&A session

Friday, November 20 (11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET)
USPTO Director Andrei Iancu
Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) Life Sciences Committee Annual Conference
Panel on AI, PTAB, and innovation during COVID

All events to be held in a virtual format. Events open to the public are noted with a link. Other events are shared for advisory purposes only. Follow our social media to stay up-to-date with highlights from these engagements and others. Questions from the media can be directed to Press Secretary Paul Fucito at Paul.Fucito@uspto.gov.

Agents and attorneys: Learn to think like an examiner

If you are a patent attorney or agent, it helps to think like an examiner. Learn how examiners make decisions in the Stakeholder Training on Examination Practice and Procedure (STEPP) agent and attorney course on January 28-30, 2020 at the Miami Beach Regional Library in Miami, Florida.

We will lead in-person courses based on material developed to train our employees. Training focuses on how our examiners review patent applications according to the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP). Similar to entry-level examiners, each attendee will use a sample application that will be the focus of exercises.

We are applying for CLE credit in Florida for this course.

Use the STEPP sign-up form to register.

You can learn more about the program and upcoming sessions on the STEPP page of the USPTO website.

Patent Agent/Attorney Registration - Reasonable Accommodation Form

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 104 (Tuesday, May 31, 2011)]
[Notices][Pages 31306-31307]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov][FR Doc No: 2011-13369]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Patent and Trademark Office

Admittance to Practice and Roster of Registered Patent Attorneys
and Agents Admitted to Practice Before the United States Patent and
Trademark Office (USPTO) (Proposed Addition)

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
To view the full text of this comment request, access http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2011_register&docid=fr31my11-51.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

This collection of information is required by 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2)(D), which permits the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to establish regulations governing the recognition and conduct of agents, attorneys or other persons representing applicants or other parties before the USPTO. This statute also permits the USPTO to require information from applicants that shows that they are of good moral character and reputation and have the necessary qualifications to assist applicants with the patent process and to represent them before the USPTO.

The USPTO administers the statute through 37 CFR 1.21, 11.5-11.14 and 11.28. These rules address the requirements to apply for the examination for registration and to demonstrate eligibility to be a registered attorney or agent before the USPTO. The Office of Enrollment and Discipline (OED) collects information to determine the qualifications of individuals entitled to represent applicants before the USPTO in the preparation and prosecution of applications for a patent. The OED also collects information to administer and maintain the roster of attorneys and agents registered to practice before the USPTO. Information concerning registered attorneys and agents is published by the OED in a public roster that can be accessed through the USPTO Web site.

The USPTO is introducing a new form, Request for Reasonable Accommodation, to facilitate an applicant's request for reasonable accommodation when they apply for the examination for registration to practice before the USPTO. A copy of this new form will be available at http://www.uspto.gov/news/fedreg/fr_2011.jsp. This information is currently collected without a form as part of the approved item, Application for Registration to Practice Before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO Form 158). Applicants currently check Box 1a and then provide the necessary supporting documentation as an attachment (see the form with instructions and details on page 18 at http://www.uspto.gov/ip/boards/ord/grb.pdf). This new form will assist applicants in providing the USPTO with the correct and necessary supporting documentation through a standardized format.

To the extent possible, the applicant must provide detailed responses to the questions in the Applicant's Statement. The applicant must also provide a completed Licensed Health Care Professional's Statement and/or other acceptable evidence to support the claim.

An applicant who received a reasonable accommodation(s) for a prior registration examination must submit a new Applicant's Statement with each new Application for Registration (PTO Form 158). Depending on the type of impairment from which the applicant suffers, the applicant has the option of submitting a new Licensed Health Care Professional's Statement as well. In deciding whether to submit a new Licensed Health Care Professional's Statement, the applicant is advised to consider that the Agency's determination of both whether to grant an accommodation and what [[Page 31307]] accommodation(s) is appropriate is based on an assessment of the current impact of the applicant's disability on the testing activity. For example, if the applicant suffers from an impairment that is temporary or changes over time, it may not be possible for the Agency to assess whether an accommodation should be granted if the Licensed Health Care Professional's Statement is not current. For chronic or long-term conditions, a new Licensed Health Care Professional's Statement may not be necessary.

Federal Register - Patent Practitioner Fee

[Federal Register: November 17, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 222)]
[Rules and Regulations][Page 67750-67759]

To see the complete text of this Final Rule see:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2008_register&docid=fr17no08-12

Changes to Representation of Others Before the United States Patent and Trademark Office
AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) is
adopting new rules governing the conduct of individuals registered to
practice before the Office. The Office is adopting a new rule that provides for an annual practitioner maintenance fee for those recognized to practice before the Office in patent cases. These changes will enable the Office to maintain a roster of registered practitioners and, consequently, better protect the public from unqualified practitioners. The Office is also making conforming amendments to 37 CFR 1.21.

DATES: Effective Date: December 17, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harry I. Moatz , Director of Enrollment and Discipline (OED Director), directly by phone at (571) 272-6069; by facsimile to (571) 273-6069 marked to the attention of Mr. Moatz; or by mail addressed to: Mail Stop OED-Ethics Rules, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450.

New USPTO Online Continuing Education Program

The USPTO is piloting an online continuing education program for patent practitioners. The CEP (Continuing Education for Practitioners) plans to present brief (about one hour) sessions about such topics as recent rule changes, revised patent examination guidelines, etc. Practitioners agree to complete one CEP program a year.

See the Aug. 18 news release for more information.

Patent Attorney/Agent Information

A new non-governmental service provides data about patent attorneys/agents registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Patent Buddy provides employee snapshots and information about attorneys/agents' experience histories back to 2001 (soon back to 1982) including which patents they have prosecuted. It includes social networking features such as the ability to create a "buddy list" of colleagues and contacts as well as to network with attorneys and agents. The advanced search makes it possible to search by name, registration number, organization, city, state/province, and zip code.