First Building of USPTO’s Consolidated Headquarters Opens

The USPTO's new consolidated headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, officially opened on December 2. Senator John Warner of Virginia and Congressman James Moran of Virginia joined top officials from the Department of Commerce, USPTO, GSA, and the City of Alexandria at the ribbon cutting ceremony. Also participating were National Inventor Hall of Fame inductees Jim Wynne, co-inventor of Lasik eye surgery and Steve Wozniak inventor of the personal computer. Patent examiner Morton Foelak represented the first USPTO employees who will work at the new facility. The first building to open is named in honor of Henry Remsen, Jr., chief clerk of the first patent board who recorded the first rules for the examination of patents.

"This new state-of-the-art facility supports many of our strategic goals including the transition to e-government and, most importantly, the need to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce,” noted Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property James E. Rogan. “The new headquarters will do that by providing a safe and enhanced quality of life environment for those who work here.”

Since 1989, the USPTO and GSA have worked to consolidate and update the USPTO facilities. In June 2000, GSA signed a 20-year lease with LCOR Alexandria, LLC to develop two million square feet of office and related space for the USPTO in Alexandria, VA. The first phase of occupancy in the first two buildings begins December 4 with 2,600 employees. Completion and occupancy of the remaining buildings will be in late 2004 and early 2005. The whole complex of five interconnected buildings will house about 7,100 employees.

Automating the patent and trademark examination process is a major component of the agency’s 21st Century Strategic Plan. As the USPTO moves into the new facility, most of the paper will be left behind. This will improve efficiency and effectiveness while providing substantial savings in space, equipment and file maintenance costs. Patent examiners in the first technology centers to move to the new facility will be processing applications electronically. All newly filed patent applications are converted to electronic applications and processed electronically, and more than a half million pending applications are being scanned into the automated system. To date, over 300,000 applications containing more than 34 million pages have been scanned into the electronic system, making it one of the largest image file databases in the world.

The new headquarters is designed with a heightened and integrated security screening process. The USPTO Innovation Station Child Development Center will accommodate up to 138 children ranging in age from six weeks to six years when it opens in 2004. Other amenities for employees as well as the local neighborhood include a museum, cafeteria, and multi-level green spaces on Dulany Gardens. A multi-purpose auditorium also will be available for both USPTO and community use.

(02Dec2003)

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