This week the Senate passed H.R. 5874 to increase the Fiscal Year 2010 spending authority for the USPTO by $129 million, and we expect the President to sign the bill into law shortly. This action reflects the recognition on the part of the Administration and the Congress of the vital role our Agency plays in supporting innovation and in spurring job creation and economic growth.
The legislation will allow the USPTO to immediately take a number of actions that will benefit the entire IP community, including: hiring additional examiners; funding full overtime for examiners and support staff; accelerating examination process reengineering; and continuing to fully fund PCT outsourcing. Mission-critical IT projects to increase the effectiveness of every USPTO function will also be accelerated.
The passage of this bill would not have happened without the leadership of Congress, as well as the dedication and support of the President, the Department of Commerce, Office of Management and Budget, and the IP Community. We owe all of them our sincere thanks for their efforts in making this possible.
Sincerely,
David Kappos
