Public Records Division/Public Information Services Division
Public User’s Meeting
April 19, 2006
2:00 p.m. - Remsen Building Conference Center

The Public Users Meeting was held at 2:00 p.m. in the 1st floor conference room 1D04/1D14 in the Remsen Building on the USPTO campus in Alexandria, Virginia. Amanda Putnam, Acting Manager for PRD, chaired the meeting. There were approximately 7 members of the public in attendance and 8 USPTO staff.

Public Search Facility Updates

• Derwent manuals are being made available on the UPWS desktop as a separate group of files so access is possible without searching through EAST. Printed manuals are also available to borrow from the front desk. The patentee code index is available electronically.
• The microfilming of classified trademark abandoned application drawings that were located in the Trademark Search Facility is well underway and the microfilm should be available to the public in the Alexandria Public Search Facility by late May.
• LCOR is working on repairing the entrance door at PSF.
• Facilities Management is making sure the restrooms are being better maintained.
• Vacuuming of the cubicles has improved.

UPWS Updates

Patent classification problems have been resolved from last week. Classification tables were out of synch with database, which returned inaccurate results. Classification tables were synchronized and problem resolved.

Follow up from last month's items:

• Patent family data is only in Derwent.
• Different colors for keywords are not being implemented. (A customer suggested that USPTO check the website DTSearch.com for information on the use of color coded keywords.)

Suggestion: Derwent on UPWS should have everything that the Patent Corps has.

Response: UPWS offers access to the same Derwent information as the Patent Corps.

Question: File integrity of foreign documents: Japanese in particular, is constantly showing "image not available" when searching on EAST. Is something going to be done to fill out the database through EAST more efficiently?

Answer: Text searching through foreign collections is limited to abstracts only from EPO and JPO. The foreign image database on WEST cannot be accessed through EAST. Another link is being developed to help remedy this particular situation for a future release. In the meantime, a flow chart will be developed that shows how searchable databases draw from image stores that will better explain the current mode of accessing foreign patent information on UPWS.

Question: Will USPTO move from the Franconia warehouse?

Answer: Not aware of such a move. Will check with USPTO facilities staff.

Concern: How come there are so many duplicative USPTO patent search databases?

Response: The patent databases are being reviewed on an ongoing basis to validate purpose and functionality. Redundancy is of concern and is one of the factors under review.

Question: Is it possible to make patent numbers available for assignment documents in EAST?

Answer: A copy/paste function will be explored.

Public Records Division Updates

Lease negotiations for South Tower to be extended past March 2007 are in process. OAS is also requesting proposals from other prospective landlords.

Improvements to turnaround times for orders from the Suitland facility are being looked into at this time. The possibility of installing a contractor presence at Suitland expressly for USPTO interests is being considered. Status of this particular endeavor will be brought up at the next meeting.

Question: Is there a way to order a file without a power-to-inspect?

Answer: No, the order must come with documentation or it will be rejected and returned.

The ordering of artifacts is through the FIU. There are procedures in place with Patents and the FIU for this purpose.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:00pm.

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 2:00pm in Remsen building room 1D04/1D14.

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