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

The Public User's Meeting was held at 2:00 p.m. in the 1st floor conference room (1D04/1D14) of the Remsen Building on the USPTO campus in Alexandria, Virginia. Martha Sneed, PISD Manager, chaired the meeting. There were approximately 10 members of the public in attendance.

Announcements

• A public user survey of customers in the Public Search Facilities (PSF) will get underway in August 2006 and be administered for one month in an online and paper environment.
• The microfilming of the pending trademark application collection in South Tower begins in August 2006.

Federal Register Notice on Removal of Classified Paper TM Registrations Containing Design Elements

Martha Sneed provided a brief summary of the June 23, 2006 Federal Register Notice. Copies of the notice have been available in both search facilities since June 23, and additional copies were offered at the meeting. Lynne Beresford and Debbie Cohn were present to respond to questions and concerns put forth by the public users.

Bob Weir, a member of the public, expressed concerns about data integrity in the trademark electronic search systems. He stated that errors he reported in November had not been addressed. Mr. Weir stated that he will provide comments to the notice.

Public Search Facility Space Consolidation Plan

Lisle Hannah presented an overview of the PSF construction and brought floor plans that she posted on walls. The new IP Global Academy will be located on second floor and will consist of 5 classrooms, interpreter booths and support space. There will be a net loss of 52 UPWS workstations in PSF and a number of workstations will be moved to first floor that will require electrical build out in new walls. The height of workstation cubicle walls will remain the same. Public suggested that USPTO consider the placement of outlets for foot traffic. The public also expressed concern that with the loss of space to the new construction, they will soon outgrow the reduced search facility space.

John Hassett addressed questions on security and the South Tower lease. Some users are still asking about full access to patent examiners on the Alexandria campus. They were informed that the security standards now in place will not be changed to allow the public greater access to USPTO space, and in fact may become more restrictive due to new requirements driven by homeland security.

Additional concerns included IP Global Academy customers using UPWS workstations, and the fire occupancy maximum for 2nd floor.

Additional PSF Updates

Doug Salser addressed recent server upgrades for UPWS.

Office of Public Records Update

Nothing new to report at this time.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, August 16, 2006, 2:00pm

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

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