Office of Public Records
Public User’s Meeting
February 16, 2005
2:00 p.m. - Randolph Building Conference Center

The Public Users Meeting was held at 2:00 p.m. in the 1st floor conference room 1D04/D14, Randolph Building on the USPTO campus in Alexandria, Virginia. Ted Parr, OPR Director, chaired the meeting. There were approximately 9 members of the public in attendance and 4 USPTO staff.

Public Search Facility Update

Ted Parr provided an update on Public Search Facility issues.

Public lockers have been installed and will soon be activated. They will be available for a daily rental fee of $4.00 for large lockers and $2.00 for small lockers. The lockers will be password secured.

Public beta testing on UPWS enhancements began on Tuesday, February 15 and will continue for two weeks until March 1.

Recent problems with the elevator have been resolved.

OCIO Security has ruled that no access may be offered to the UPWS A: drive.

Question: Why is no one from the Public Search Facility at the meeting to address issues?

Mr. Parr offered to take any issues raised back to Public Search Facility management. The customer had issues concerning TICRS, USAMark, the UPWS Control-P function, Beta units in general and the issue of access to same.

Question: A customer mentioned that there are gaps in USAMark registration coverage.

Mr. Parr asked for examples so corrective action can be taken.

Question: Will internet access be made available in the PSF?

No, internet access will not be made available at this time.

OPR Move Update

OPR’s move to the South Tower building got under way this week and will continue through Wednesday of next week, February 23, 2005. All products will be available for order during the move although some minor delays in processing orders can be anticipated.

The new Customer Service window on 2nd floor in South Tower is now open, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Customer service rental boxes are moving, starting Feb. 18th. As boxes are removed from the Arcade for installation at the Carlyle facility some customers will get temporary boxes in the Arcade facility. The move will complete and the Arcade facility will close by the end of March.

Question: Will the new Customer Service window be able to accept applications and other prosecution correspondence?

No, the OPR Customer Service window is only for OPR business—assignments and document copies—not for Patent or Trademark prosecution.

Comment: A customer mentioned that their At Cost request was denied that day because the assignment reels were packed away for OPR’s move.

This was an error. OPR has alternate sources for assignment copies—the alternate sources may take longer to obtain but At Cost requests should still be accepted and filled during the move. [Note: this request was honored the next day and move procedures were revised to ensure continued service during the move.]

Question: When are the previous meeting’s minutes available online?

Meeting minute are generally posted about two weeks after each meeting.

Comment: The URL for the meeting minutes is not on the UPWS.

The UPWS provides access to the entire USPTO website, including the meeting minutes, but does not specifically put the URL for the meeting minutes on the UPWS menu.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 2:30 p.m.

KEY: =online business system =fees =forms=help =laws/regulations =definition (glossary)

Is there a question about what the USPTO can or cannot do that you cannot find an answer for? Send questions about USPTO programs and services to the USPTO Contact Center (UCC). You can suggest USPTO webpages or material you would like featured on this section by E-mail to the webmaster@uspto.gov. While we cannot promise to accommodate all requests, your suggestions will be considered and may lead to other improvements on the website.