FYI -
Date: Tue, 08 Jul 1997 17:59:22 -0400
From: IPO <info@ipo.org>
Reply-To: info@ipo.org
Organization: IPO
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To: InventorsCompaniesPatentAttorneys@ipo.org
Subject: Congress May Steal Patent Fees on Friday
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LEGISLATIVE ALERT -- Both the House and the Senate Subcommittees on
Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary Appropriations may decide 1998
USPTO funding by Friday, July 11. At least the House subcommittee
appears to be inclined to accept the Clinton proposal to divert $92
million in 1998 patent fees to unrelated government programs.
The $92 million is about 15 percent of the patent examining budget.
Patent pendency time already is rising. The money is needed to hire
more patent examiners. Claims that the USPTO cannot spend the money it
has are groundless. If the diversion of fees continues, a large
increase in patent fees paid by applicants and owners is inevitable.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OWNERS (IPO) IS URGING ALL PARTIES WITH AN
INTEREST IN THE USPTO TO CONTACT THE SUBCOMMITTEES AND THEIR OWN U.S.
REPRESENTATIVE AND TWO U.S. SENATORS, TO EXPRESS STRONG OPPOSITION TO
DIVERTING ANY 1998 PATENT FEES. Contacts should be made no later than
July 10. For advice on how to contact members of Congress on this
issue, call Tracey Foster at 202/466-2396.
Herbert C. Wamsley
Intellectual Property Owners
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