Alexandria, Virginia – The United States Patent & Trademark Office will host a public roundtable discussion to gather input on its Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries. The question? Are they effective in an electronic era, and if so (or not) what is the best future course. The roundtable will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 15 from 1:30-3 p.m. at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria and and will also be webcast.
The Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program is a joint program with academic, state and municipal libraries around the United States to ensure that patent and trademark information gets out to locals communities.
“With this roundtable, we hope to obtain input from organizations and individuals on current use of the PTDLs as well as how we can make them more beneficial in the future.” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO David Kappos, in a press release.
Specifically, the USPTO is looking for suggestions on what services communities would like to see their PTDLs. Further information on the Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries is available at: www.uspto.gov/products/library/ptdl/. This meeting will be available for viewing via a live webcast. To enter the webcast, interested parties should go to https://uspto.connectsolutions.com/ptdlp021511/.
In addition to the public meeting, stakeholders can submit comments via e-mail or in writing. See Federal Register notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/pdf/2011-2661.pdf.
To read Director Kappos’ blog discussing the upcoming roundtable, go to www/uspto.gov/blog.