Public Advisory Committees

The Public Advisory Committees for the USPTO were created by statute in the American Inventors Protection Act of 1999 to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO on the management of the patent and the trademark operations. The Public Advisory Committees consist of citizens of the United States chosen to represent the interests of the diverse users of the USPTO. The Public Advisory Committees review the policies, goals, performance, budget, and user fees of the patent and trademark operations, respectively, and advise the director on these matters. Appointments to the Public Advisory Committees are made by the Secretary of Commerce.

Information for Nominees

Members of the Advisory Committees will be considered Special Government Employees, and will be required to comply with Summary of Ethics Rules for Special Government Employees. Upon selection they will be required to file a completed Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) and a Certification of Status Statement.

Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC)

The American Inventors Protection Act of 1999 created the PPAC to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO.