USPTO Monthly Review -- August 2018

The USPTO announced the launch of an anti-counterfeiting video contest during the National Trademark Exposition. The “Consumers Combat Counterfeits" contest invites entrants to submit creative videos to help raise awareness about the negative effects of counterfeit products and the need to combat the growing worldwide threat.

Counterfeits pose a serious risk to consumers’ health and safety, as well as the economic stability of our nation. Additionally, the criminal organizations who profit from counterfeits presents new challenges for consumers, the private sector, and U.S. agencies that enforce intellectual property rights.

To learn more, read the press release.

Often considered the most valuable asset of a company, trademarks prevent confusion in the marketplace by helping consumers identify their trusted or preferred brands, thereby engendering goodwill and customer loyalty.

The USPTO creates and maintains the federal register of trademarks that provides notice of 2.3 million marks in use—and some of the world’s most famous brands are valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Needless to say, and as Mary mentioned in her remarks, trademarks play a significant role in the U.S. economy. 

The primary function of the Trademarks division at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is to examine and register trademarks, service marks, certification marks, and collective membership marks that meet the requirements of the Trademark Act.

To learn more, read the remarks from USPTO Director Andrei Iancu

I saw a recent article that stated the average consumer is exposed to up to 10,000 brand messages every day. Ten thousand? That’s amazing! Think about all of the different ways marketers have access to you: TV, radio, computer, phone, billboards, and other people. Yes, other people! How many brands are you wearing right now? I have on at least five right now, probably more. And I am sure you probably do too.

Most people are not even aware of the myriad of advertisements they see or hear all the time and the trademarks behind them. And studies have shown that kids as young as 2 can recognize most popular brand logos, such as McDonalds' Golden Arches or the logos for Pepsi or Starbucks or Target. 

I still remember taking my daughter to an antiques show when she was about 18 months old; she saw the VISA logo and said VISA. I almost fell on the floor, but I guess I should not be that surprised since I have always used my VISA card a lot!

To learn more, read the remarks from Commissioner for Trademarks Mary Boney Denison.

On July 10, Deputy Commissioner for Patent Quality Valencia Martin Wallace held the seventh Patent Quality Chat in the 2018 webinar series titled “Improving Access to Global Patent Data.”

Imagine free access to patent application information from patent offices around the world through one single, secure portal. Global Dossier provides this. USPTO’s Office of International Patent Business Solutions provided an overview of the Global Dossier concept and how the IP5 Offices (USPTO, EPO, JPO, KIPO, and SIPO) have been working together to provide additional services and functionalities. In particular, our new service, Citation List, was highlighted to demonstrate its capabilities in prior art searching.

Patent Quality Chat is a monthly, lunchtime webinar series designed to provide information on patent quality topics and to gather public input.

To learn more about the July Patent Quality Chat, watch the archived event stream or view the presentation slides. 

On July 17, The Technology Center (TC) 2600 and Rocky Mountain Regional Office Customer held a Customer Partnership Meeting. This event was hosted by the Rocky Mountain Regional Office and was webcast and included a viewing session at our headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.

To learn more about the Technology Center 2600 Customer Partnership Meeting view the presentation slides.

On July 20, USPTO Director Andrei Iancu, Inventor and Astronaut Dr. David Wolf, and National Air and Space Museum Director Dr. Ellen Stofan held a special afternoon at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., as they discussed the past and future of aerospace. The panel discussion explored the dynamic innovations of the industry and the pioneering inventors who laid the groundwork for future exploration.

Since the Wright brothers' first flight, aerospace has been critical to the future of the United States. In celebration of the recent issuance of U.S. patent number 10 million, our panelists looked at significant historic aerospace patents and discussed the future of aviation and space technology and the role of intellectual property in encouraging and protecting new inventions and innovations.

To learn more watch the archived Livestream.

On July 26, The Technology Center (TC) 2800 held its Semiconductor Customer Partnership Meeting (CPM) at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.

The semiconductor workgroup examines solid-state devices and manufacturing processes, memory storage and retrieval, and lasers technologies. During this meeting, participants interacted with USPTO personnel in person or via webcast regarding many agenda topics.

To learn more about the Technology Center 2800 Semiconductor Customer Partnership Meeting view the presentation slides.

On July 26, TPAC held its quarterly meeting at our headquarters in Alexandria, VA.

The Trademark Public Advisory Committee reviews the policies, goals, performance, budget, and user fees of the USPTO with respect to trademarks, and advises the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO on these matters.

To learn more view the presentation slides.

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, in collaboration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, hosted the 2018 National Trademark Exposition. The two-day event helped support the mission of the USPTO and that of its collaborator, the museum’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, by educating the public about the history and value of trademarks in addition to their importance in the global marketplace through engaging seminars, children’s activities, displays of authentic and counterfeit goods, as well as numerous exhibits featuring registered trademarks. NBA All-Star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar delivered the keynote address at the opening ceremony.

To learn more watch the archived Livestream of the opening ceremony.

“NBA Star Abdul-Jabbar Shoots Trademark Tips at PTO Expo”
Malathi Nayak, Bloomberg

“PTO Director Andrei Iancu on Priorities, Patent System Challenges
Malathi Nayak, Bloomberg

“The State of Care: Patient Access & Affordability”
Kathleen Koch, AtlanticLIVE

“Mind the Gap – The USPTO's Efforts to Narrow the Gender Gap in Patenting and Innovation”
Linda Hosler, Technology & Innovation

“Joe Marron on 27 Years of Optics Inventions”
Molly Moser, Optics & Photonics News

“Three-Block ‘Walk of Progress’ U.S. Patent Exhibit Opens in Alexandria”
Mary Wadland, The Zebra

“Camp Invention Aims To Inspire Future Inventors”
Rachel Johnson, Lakeland PBS

“Camp Invention Sparks Creativity Among Students”
Temi Adeleye, KEYC

“Ah, Summertime! You Have the Best Utility Patents!”
Amy Edwards, National Archives