Patently-O Bits and Bytes

Funding: The Senate has also passed the PTO funding bill (H.R. 5874) that restores $129 million of fee-collected income to the PTO. The bill specifically provides “For an additional amount for `Salaries and Expenses’ of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, $129,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That the sum herein appropriated from the general fund shall be reduced as offsetting collections assessed and collected pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1113 and 35 U.S.C. 41 and 376 are received during fiscal year 2010, so as to result in a fiscal year 2010 appropriation from the general fund estimated at $0: Provided further, That during fiscal year 2010, should the total amount of offsetting fee collections be less than $2,016,000,000, this amount shall be reduced accordingly.” The President will sign the bill shortly.
The PTO is expected to use the money to hire and train additional examiners and upgrade its information technology system.
Gene Quinn — the IPWatchDog — is posting a series of interesting interviews:
- Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life of David Kappos
- An Interview with Former Chief Judge Paul Michel: Part I; Part II; Part III
- Interview with Chief Judge Rader
- Interview with Billionaire Inventor Gary Michelson
- Interview with Professor Doug Lichtman
- Nice work Gene!