TPAC Meeting

USPTO Headquarters
Madison South Auditorium
Concourse Level
600 Dulany Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Please note that TPAC has asked that all presentations be submitted in writing at least two weeks prior to this meeting. Thus, each item below is intended to be for discussion, asking questions and public comments rather than for presentation of information that can be submitted in writing in advance.

9:00 a.m. – Introduction by TPAC Chair.

9:05 a.m. – Welcome and brief comments by USPTO Leadership.

9:15 a.m. (50 minutes) – Discussion Regarding the Future of the Trademark Fence, 35 U.S.C. § 42(c).

• Comments by and questions for Acting USPTO Commissioner John Doll or his designee
• Comments by and questions for Trademarks Commissioner Lynne Beresford

[Five-minute break]

10:10 a.m. (30 minutes) – Discussion Regarding the History of USPTO Funding of Rescissions and Diversions with Trademark Fees vis-à-vis Patent Fees.

• Comments by the USPTO Office of the Chief Financial Officer or another designee of USPTO Commissioner John Doll
• Comments by and questions for Trademarks Commissioner Lynne Beresford

10:40 a.m. (30 minutes) – Discussion of the Extent to Which the Patent Operation in the past has Loaned Funds to or Otherwise Subsidized, the Trademark Operation, if at all, during Fiscal Year 1999 through Fiscal Year 2005.

• Comments by the USPTO Office of the Chief Financial Officer or another designee of USPTO Commissioner John Doll
• Comments by and questions for Trademarks Commissioner Lynne Beresford

11:10 a.m. (15 minutes) – Report from and Discussion with the USPTO Office of the Chief Financial Officer on the status of the trademark fees study.

[Five-minute break]

11:30 a.m. (30 minutes) – Discussion with the Office of the Chief Information Officer about status of ongoing technological remediation, including whether roadmap milestones being hit and goals being accomplished.

12 p.m. (20 minutes) – Discussion with Trademarks Commissioner Lynne Beresford about:

• The Economic Status of the Trademark Operation in Light of the Recession, and
• Current Trademark Operation Speed and Quality Performance Metrics

12:20 p.m. (10 minutes) – Public comments on any other issues (if any). We’ll extend this time if there are a lot of comments or questions.

12:30 p.m. – Adjourn public meeting.

After this public meeting, TPAC anticipates having a post-lunch TPAC-only executive session in the afternoon to discuss any confidential matters.

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