Pursuant to the Federal Register
notice published on October 28, 2002 (67 FR 65786), and based on responses
by interested parties, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
will hold a round table meeting in Arlington, Virginia, on December 19, 2002,
to discuss additional harmonization of patent laws. Round table meetings tentatively
scheduled on earlier dates in the greater Los Angeles and Chicago areas will
be consolidated into this round table.
Participants in the December 19,
2002, round table will discuss patent harmonization issues of concern to small
business and other patent owners including costs and fees, procedural and
administrative matters, substantive patent law and enforcement. The purpose
of the meeting is not to reach consensus on any particular issue, but for
participants to air their thoughts on achieving additional harmonization of
patent laws.
Due to space limitations,
the observing audience for the round table meeting and discussion will be
restricted, if necessary, to 60 persons. Requests to observe will be accepted
on a first-in-time basis and should be made via telephone to Ms. Velica Steadman
at 703-305-9300 or electronic mail to velica.steadman@uspto.gov.
The round table meeting will be
held on December 19, 2002, from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M., in the USPTO conference
room on the second floor of Crystal Park 2, 2121 Crystal Drive, Arlington,
Virginia.