Let the PTO Pay Its Own Way

Foley Partners Jon Dudas and Stephen Maebius and Associate Sean Tu authored an article titled “Let the PTO pay its own way” in the October 26, 2009 issue of The National Law Journal. The authors discuss the need to change the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s funding structure in the midst of the economic downturn and a corresponding drop in collections. They note that Congress should authorize the PTO to restructure and set fees, save income and potentially borrow funds in order to fix the problem, adding that the PTO could dramatically cut patent pendency times if granted independent government-corporation status.