USPTO

Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property joined judges of the federal district and members of the Eastern District of Texas Bar Association for the 27th annual Bench & Bar conference on all things IP to provide updates on USPTO. She addressed USPTO strategic objectives from operations to inclusive innovation to AI and incentivizing the next generation of inventors and creators. “Everything we do at USPTO is focused on meeting our mission to drive U.S. innovation, inclusive capitalism, and global competitiveness for the benefit of all Americans,” said Director Vidal. “That includes everything from improving operational performance and reliability to developing and implementing policy to incentivize emerging technology. We need more innovation, whether from first time inventors or from our largest brand name corporations.” To learn more about the USPTO’s strategic goals and accomplishments visit: https://lnkd.in/eZNXBaHh

Hats off to innovation that is truly outside the box. #OTD in 2022, design patent No. 968,651 was issued for a spherical building that is now turning heads on the Las Vegas strip for its dazzling – and sometimes unexpected – displays. The patent showcases the striking design of the Sphere music venue, an architectural marvel that lights up the Las Vegas skyline. The detailed design highlights the venue’s modern and immersive experience. #DesignPatents #VegasSphere 

We’re hiring a strategic leader to help safeguard cybersecurity privacy rights, ensure robust authorizations, and foster proactive outreach within the evolving digital realm. Use your information technology (IT) skills and vision to develop long-range plans, promote IT policies and objectives, and lead a diverse, inclusive team. This position offers the opportunity to telework full-time within 50 miles of our Alexandria headquarters. Ready to join us at the forefront of innovation? Apply: https://bit.ly/3NsGhaf #ITJobs

For Intellectual Property (IP) Month, we want to give a shout out to our IP Champions program!  IP Champions are USPTO employees who bring their IP knowledge and expertise to high schools and community centers nationwide. This local outreach campaign launched earlier this year and is an initiative of the Council for Inclusive Innovation.  Are you interested in having your local high school or community learn more about the importance of IP protection like patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets? Find out how you can request an IP Champion for an upcoming event: https://bit.ly/4avW5Tt 

 Trick or treat! 🎃 We’re suckers for treats protected by trademarks. The unique shapes of Twizzlers, Life Savers and Hersheyland are registered trademarks. Swipe to learn about trademarks for the candy that may land in your Halloween bucket tonight.

We’re a great place to work for attorneys for three reasons, says managing attorney David: 🤝 The ability to interact with and serve the public 🧪 The exposure to new and exciting technologies, fields, and industries 📈 The professional career development Hear about more benefits, like flexible schedules and teleworking from anywhere in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, during our virtual trademark examining attorney office hours. Ask our attorneys your questions in real time as you consider your future application to the USAJOBS vacancy open NOW. Don’t miss the virtual conversation November 7, noon ET: https://bit.ly/3Uc4Jkd.

Our new artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies lecture series is keeping our USPTO colleagues up-to-date on all things AI. Thank you to our first presenter, Mark Papermaster, Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Advanced Micro Devices, who shared his insights with us from more than 40 years of engineering experience at large technology organizations. He spoke about how AI innovation has rapidly evolved and impacts our daily lives, and how it has the potential to drive more holistic, process-oriented patents. He also discussed how AI results in more efficient energy usage and how the human-element is key in implementing responsible AI. The AI lecture series is part of our technical training to keep patent examiners and other USPTO employees up to date on the latest technological developments, emerging trends, and recent innovations by hearing from distinguished lecturers, luminaries and worldwide leaders in AI. To learn about more about the USPTO’s policies, guidance, and future public events related to AI, visit our website: https://bit.ly/USPTO_AI

“All of you have a stake in the future of AI. All of you have a stake in how we shape policy.”    In a conversation on AI and innovation with Allie Garfinkle at Fortune's Most Powerful Summit, Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property encouraged attendees to get involved through letters, emails, phone calls, and more formal comment submission, because it takes input from diverse stakeholders to craft good policy and secure the best outcomes.

We’re delighted to recognize 63 outstanding guardians of our nation’s prized innovation ecosystem. Each of these 63 USPTO colleagues have been nominated by their managers or directors for their work helping the agency bring innovation to impact for as many entrepreneurs and innovators as possible. Through work in IT systems functioning and financial management to patent and trademark review and external communications, each person epitomizes attributes essential to our government agency. Congratulations! Hong Sang David Turocy Michael Pyzocha Richa Sonifrank Thomas Will Monique Cole Brian Broadfoot Michael Newman Marla Robinson Eugenia Jones Gary Welch Kelly Boudreau Ian Simmons Brian Sircus Kamal Saeed Kevin Bechtel Sing-Wai Wu Brett Miller Jessica Lemieux Robert Childs Melissa Visco Holly Chong-Williams Lee Fineman Victor Macarthur Gary Allen Porter Ellen (Eunhwa) Kim Kyle Aurand Alexandra Foster Andrea Cornwell Sarah Steinpfad Steven Perez Parker Howard Raymond Harmon Samir Patel George Murray Kathleen Miller Brittany Krueger Tameaka Smith Brandy Zukanovich Patrick Baker Angela Jenkins Carrie Johnson Jeri Youngblood Nona Durham Ryan Flax Charles Boudreau Karen Kuhlke Cheryl Butler Andrew Baxley Tommy Berry Rob Sorensen Melissa Fatni Nicolas Oettinger Kyu Lee Tricia Choe Angela Ortiz Anggie Reilly Ari Leifman NaThanya Ferguson Maraky Sissay Tim Goodwin Christina Whitaker Julianne Taylor

The Office of the Chief Communications Officer’s (OCCO) primary mission is to help us speak as one agency, with one voice, ensuring our stakeholders have confidence in the services and information we provide. But, more than that, OCCO demystifies patents and trademarks, often through the medium of storytelling. From the award-winning “Journeys of Innovation” series to interviews with astronauts, trendsetters, and CEOs, OCCO is bringing more people into the American innovation and IP ecosystem. “Working at the USPTO in the OCCO allows me to illuminate the incredible stories of inventors through impactful partnerships. Collaborating with organizations like the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the Smithsonian Institution, we don’t just tell inventor stories—we recognize the genius behind each idea and highlight the transformative power of intellectual property," says Jayde Stewart, National Outreach Partnerships Specialist. "It’s a joy to celebrate creativity across generations and inspire a future where every voice can spark change.” #TeamUSPTO #BusinessUnitSpotlight