[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 30, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71895-71896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34494]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Patent and Trademark Office


Notice of Round Table Discussion on Proposed Reform of Patent Law 
and Operational Authority of the Patent and Trademark Office

AGENCY: Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) announces a one-day, 
round table discussion on legislative proposals to reform patent law 
and the operational authority of the PTO. There will be approximately 
10 to 20 round table participants. The participants may include 
Congressional representatives, Administration officials, and PTO 
customers invited by the PTO in consultation with groups representing 
large and small entities and independent inventors. Subject to space 
limitations, observers are invited to attend and, if time permits, make 
comments.

DATES: The round table discussion will be held on Friday, January 22, 
1999, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Individuals who would like to 
attend as observers must register by telephone between 12 noon Eastern 
time on January 14, 1999, and 12 noon January 20, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The round table discussion will take place at the Sheraton 
Crystal City Hotel, 1800 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 
22202. Individuals who would like to attend must register their name 
with Andrew Hirsch, Director of Congressional Affairs, by telephone at 
(703) 305-9300, or by facsimile transmission marked to his attention at 
(703) 305-8885.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrew Hirsch, Director of Congressional Affairs, by telephone at (703) 
305-9300, or by facsimile transmission marked to his attention at (703) 
305-8885.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The U.S. patent system plays a critical role in our dynamic 
economy. Inventors rely on a strong patent system to protect their 
creativity and investment as they bring their new technology and 
products to the marketplace. Inventors want their patent applications 
examined and patents issued and protected in the most efficient manner 
possible. While all PTO customers and other interested parties agree 
with those goals, they disagree as to what, if any, reforms are 
necessary to achieve those goals.
    Efforts intended to reform and improve the U.S. patent system have 
intensified over the last two Congresses. However, legislation was not 
enacted because of disagreement over the specific proposals to reform 
patent law and the operational authority of the PTO.

Purpose of Round Table Discussion

    This round table discussion is expected to begin a constructive 
dialogue among PTO customers and other interested parties on the 
desirability and the proper nature and scope of the various proposed 
legislative reforms to U.S. patent law and to the operational authority 
of the PTO. The PTO does not intend to use the group to arrive at any 
consensus. Accordingly, the PTO will host the round table discussion 
both to bring insights and experiences of diverse viewpoints to the 
agency and to find out where problems have been observed in the patent 
system before those problems harm the American economy. Attendees will 
be encouraged to supply the agency with general commentary, 
suggestions, and raw data.

Issues

    Issues to be addressed by round table participants include, but are 
not limited to, the following:
    1. Early publication of patent applications and provisional rights.
    2. Reform of reexamination procedures.
    3. Prior user rights.
    4. Patent term restoration/extension provisions.
    5. Recasting the PTO as a Government corporation and/or 
performance-based organization with improved operating and financial 
flexibilities.
    6. Patent fee related issues.
    7. Invention promotion fraud.

Registration of Public Observers

    Because of space limitations, a limited number of public observers 
will be allowed to attend. Individuals who would like to attend must 
register their name with Andrew Hirsch, Director of Congressional 
Affairs, by telephone at (703) 305-9300, or by facsimile transmission 
marked to his attention at (703) 305-8885. Requests to register as

[[Page 71896]]

observers will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Dated: December 23, 1998.
Q. Todd Dickinson,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Deputy Commissioner of 
Patents and Trademarks.
[FR Doc. 98-34494 Filed 12-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-16-M