USPTO remains open despite government shutdown

According to the USPTO: 

“Although parts of the federal government have experienced a lapse in appropriated funding, the USPTO remains open for business as normal. This is possible because the agency has access to prior-year fee collections, which enables the USPTO to continue normal operations for a few weeks. Should the USPTO exhaust these funds before a partial government shutdown comes to an end, the agency would have to shut down at that time, although a small staff would continue to work to accept new applications and maintain IT infrastructure, among other functions. Further information regarding any adjustments to the USPTO’s operating status will be posted on the USPTO website and delivered to the news media.”  The USPTO statement can be found here

USPTO offers free virtual instructor led training webinar on Legal Analysis Writing Workshop

The USPTO will offer training to members of the public as part of the Virtual Instructor Led Training (vILT) program. vILT is designed to allow stakeholders in the USPTO to be briefed on a variety of focused topics related to examination practice and procedure derived from recent training delivered to experienced USPTO examiners. The interactive online format of vILT allows participants to remotely attend the training without the need to travel to USPTO locations.     

Registration is opened from December 17, 2018 – January 27, 2019 for the next vILT webinar titled “Legal Analysis Writing Workshop” scheduled for February 12 and 13, 2019 at 1pm ET. This course if for patent attorneys and patent agents.  This course is first come first serve, has a limited capacity, and selection is required to attend. The USPTO is applying for CLE credit in Virginia for this course. All vILT events are free to attend.  The sign up form can be found here

Attorney/Agent course on examination practice and procedure at USPTO

Sign up to attend the March 5 – 7, 2019, Attorney/Agent 3-day course on examination practice and procedure at the USPTO Rocky Mountain Regional Office in Denver. CLE credit in Colorado is approved for this course. This training makes use of statutes, rules, and guidelines relevant to practicing before the USPTO. Attendance is limited those who have passed the patent bar, with priority given to those who passed recently. USPTO trainers will present the course based on material developed for training patent examiners and other employees. More information and a proposed upcoming course schedule is available on the Stakeholder Training on Examination Practice and Procedure (STEPP) page of the USPTO website, and can be seen here.

Patent Examining Training for Inventors at the USPTO–FEB 5-7, 2019

Registration is now open for the Feb. 5 – 7, 2019 USPTO Inventor 3-Day Course on Examination Practice and Procedure. The course is offered to members of the public as part of their Stakeholder Training on Examination Practice and Procedure (STEPP) program. The event will be held at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.  The cost is FREE!

If you are interested in attending, please use the USPTO’s sign-up form.

This course is limited to current and future inventors. It is not intended for those interested in representing applicants before the USPTO. As a prerequisite, those accepted will be required to review several computer-based training (CBT) modules prior to the course dates.

More information, and a proposed upcoming course schedule, is available on the STEPP page of the USPTO website.