DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

                          Patent and Trademark Office

                      Notice of Round Table Discussion on
                       Proposed Reform of Patent Law and
                         Operational Authority of the
                          Patent and Trademark Office

AGENCY: Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Meeting.

SUMMARY: The Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) announces a one-day,
round table discussion on legislative proposals to reform patent law and
the operational authority of the PTO. There will be approximately 10 to
20 round table participants. The participants may include Congressional
representatives, Administration officials, and PTO customers invited by
the PTO in consultation with groups representing large and small
entities and independent inventors. Subject to space limitations,
observers are invited to attend and, if time permits, make comments.

DATES: The round table discussion will be held on Friday, January 22,
1999, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Individuals who would like to
attend as observers must register by telephone between 12 noon Eastern
time on January 14, 1999, and 12 noon January 20, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The round table discussion will take place at the Sheraton
Crystal City Hotel, 1800 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia
22202. Individuals who would like to attend must register their name
with Andrew Hirsch, Director of Congressional Affairs, by telephone at
(703) 305-9300, or by facsimile transmission marked to his attention at
(703) 305-8885.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Hirsch, Director of
Congressional Affairs, by telephone at (703) 305-9300, or by facsimile
transmission marked to his attention at (703) 305-8885.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

BACKGROUND: The U.S. patent system plays a critical role in our dynamic
economy. Inventors rely on a strong patent system to protect their
creativity and investment as they bring their new technology and
products to the marketplace. Inventors want their patent applications
examined and patents issued and protected in the most efficient manner
possible. While all PTO customers and other interested parties agree
with those goals, they disagree as to what, if any, reforms are
necessary to achieve those goals.
   Efforts intended to reform and improve the U.S. patent system have
intensified over the last two Congresses. However, legislation was not
enacted because of disagreement over the specific proposals to reform
patent law and the operational authority of the PTO.

PURPOSE OF ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION: This round table discussion is
expected to begin a constructive dialogue among PTO customers and other
interested parties on the desirability and the proper nature and scope
of the various proposed legislative reforms to U.S. patent law and to
the operational authority of the PTO. The PTO does not intend to use the
group to arrive at any consensus. Accordingly, the PTO will host the
round table discussion both to bring insights and experiences of diverse
viewpoints to the agency and to find out where problems have been
observed in the patent system before those problemsharm the American
economy. Attendees will be encouraged to supply the agency with general
commentary, suggestions, and raw data.

ISSUES: Issues to be addressed by round table participants include, but
are not limited to, the following:
1. Early publication of patent applications and provisional fights.
2. Reform of reexamination procedures.
3. Prior user rights.
4. Patent term restoration/extension provisions.
5. Recasting the PTO as a Government corporation and/or
performance-based organization with improved operating and financial
flexibilities.
6. Patent fee related issues.
7. Invention promotion fraud.

REGISTRATION OF PUBLIC OBSERVERS: Because of space limitations, a
limited number of public observers will be allowed to attend.
Individuals who would like to attend must register their name with
Andrew Hirsch, Director of Congressional Affairs, by telephone at (703)
305-9300, or by facsimile transmission marked to his attention at (703)
305-8885. Requests to register as observers will be granted on a
first-come, first-served basis.

December 23, 1998                                         Q. TODD DICKINSON
                                 Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce and
                              Deputy Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks