USPTO Public Advisory Committees, Why Not You?

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) seeks input and guidance through public advisory committees. Members serve a three-year term. (Trademark Public Advisory Committee (TPAC) | USPTO; Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) | USPTO). The Committees were created by statute in the American Inventors Protection Act of 1999 to provide advice on the management of the patent and the trademark operations, review of the policies, goals, performance, budget and user fees of the patent and trademark operations, respectively, and advise the director on these matters. As the acting USPTO Director Derrick Brent stated, "The Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees are vital in helping our agency advance innovation, with PAC members serving as fierce advocates for the immense value of intellectual property protection in our society and strengthening our service to all stakeholders."