The USPTO just notified the public of a budget induced slowdown in its patent operations, severe enough, that it may impact your planning. I copy the relevant sections of the notice, below. Effective immediately and until further notice:
- Track One of the Three-Track program, which offers expedited patent examination and was scheduled to go into effect on May 4, 2011, is postponed;
- The opening of the planned Nationwide Workforce satellite office in Detroit, as well as consideration of other possible satellite office locations, is postponed;
- Hiring-both for new positions and backfills-is frozen;
- IT projects will be scaled back;
- Funding for Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) outsourcing will be substantially reduced;
- Employee training will be reduced;
- All overtime is suspended.
In addition, business units will be required to reduce all other non-compensation-related expenses, including travel, conferences and contracts.
Trademarks is unaffected and will maintain normal operations.
Rick Neifeld, Ph.D. Patent Attorney
President, Neifeld IP Law, PC
4813-B Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria Virginia 22304
Tel: 703-415-0012
Fax: 703-415-0013
Home Page: http://www.Neifeld.com/
