March 14, 2006
#06-18

Press Release, 06-18

Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez to Launch New Electronic Patent Application Filing System

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and Under Secretary for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas will officially launch the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) new electronic filing system for patent applications. EFS-Web allows patent filers anywhere in the world at any time to submit patent applications and to pay fees via the Internet.

WHAT

Launch of USPTO's new electronic filing system for patent applications.
Remarks by Secretary Gutierrez and Under Secretary Dudas.
First electronic filing by 3M company, Fish & Richardson PC and University of Maryland

WHO

Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas
Commissioner for Patents John Doll
Gary Griswold, chief intellectual property counsel for 3M company
Tom Beddow, vice president for Government Affairs for 3M company
Felicia Metz, intellectual property associate, Office of Technology
Commercialization, University of Maryland
Karl Renner, principal, Fish & Richardson P.C.

WHERE

U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Room 4830
Washington, D.C.

WHEN

Thursday, March 16, 2006
9:30 a.m. Press check in begins
10:00 a.m. Press conference begins

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