Patent Cooperation Treaty Update

   Due to changes in currency exchange rates, a reduced dollar amount has
been established for the search fee required the European Patent Office,
with effect from June 1, 2000. The dollar amount of the search fee
required by the European Patent Office when acting as International
Searching Authority will be $925.00, beginning June 1, 2000.

April 21, 2000                                            Q. TODD DICKINSON
                                            Under Secretary of Commerce for
                                  Intellectual Property and Director of the
                                  United States Patent and Trademark Office