USPTO May Monthly Review

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A look back at the highlights of May 2020

Journeys of Innovation

How inventor and entrepreneur Floyd Smith made the skies safer for aviators. 

Pulling the rip cord

At the end of World War I, parachutes still weren’t standard equipment for military pilots. To address concerns about their use, Floyd Smith, a pilot himself, designed the first parachute that incorporated a manually operated rip cord. It changed the world of aviation and saved countless lives, and Smith’s innovative spirit continues to set an example for daring inventors and entrepreneurs. 

Read the full story

News and updates

In accordance with the temporary authority provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today further extended the time to file certain patent-related documents and to pay certain required fees.

Read the news brief

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced it will temporarily permit the filing of plant patent applications and follow-on documents via the USPTO patent electronic filing systems (EFS-Web or Patent Center) until further notice. Filers are reminded that only registered users of the USPTO patent electronic filing systems may file follow-on documents into existing applications via the USPTO patent electronic filing systems.

Read the news brief

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today unveiled a new web-based intellectual property (IP) marketplace platform, Patents 4 Partnerships, to provide the public with a user-friendly, searchable repository of patents and published patent applications related to the COVID-19 pandemic that are indicated as available for licensing.

Read the press release

Find all upcoming and past events at https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/events.

Blogs

Spotlight on Commerce: Elizabeth Chu, Social Media Specialist and Acting Website Editor-in-Chief

As the Social Media Specialist for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), I am responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring the agency’s social media strategy to increase brand awareness and strengthen our digital presence. Recently, I stepped in as the Acting Website Editor-in-Chief, due to the recent departure of a colleague. Adding website responsibilities and new skills to my current role as Social Media Specialist—all during a pandemic—has been a whirlwind, to say the least. Luckily, I’m surrounded by generous, dedicated, and talented colleagues in the Office of the Chief Communications Officer who help and support me when I need it. It’s a privilege to work side-by-side with professional and expert communicators in a fast-paced work environment.

By Elizabeth Chu, Social Media Specialist and Acting Website Editor-in-Chief, USPTO | Continue reading

Spotlight on Commerce: Thomas Hong, Primary Patent Examiner

I am a primary patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). I review patent applications within the mechanical engineering technology center, specializing in amusement and education devices. I also serve as president of the Korean-American Intellectual Property Organization (KAIPO), the USPTO’s youngest affinity group, which aims to promote and support the growth and development of Korean-American intellectual property professionals.

By Thomas Hong, Primary Patent Examiner, USPTO | Continue reading

Popular posts

In recognition of Military Appreciation Month, we remember the past walks of Thankful Recognition held at the USPTO, in memory of those who served and died for our country.

In July 1918, under the name of the newly formed Floyd Smith Aerial Equipment Company, Floyd Smith filed a patent application (U.S. patent no. 1,340,423) for a new type of parachute. Called the “Floyd Smith Aerial Life Pack,” it was the first parachute to rely on a manually operated rip cord.

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The USPTO supports the next generation of IP Law experts through many programs for legal professionals, such as judicial clerkships and law student externships.

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