PTO To Begin 2nd Round of Fee-Setting, Lee Says

The Patent and Trademark Office will soon begin its second round of fee-setting, said PTO Deputy Director Michelle Lee in a speech Tuesday. Lee, who was the keynote speaker at the Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation luncheon, spoke about the changing landscape of the IP community and continued PTO efforts to work with the IP community to provide the best services possible. Lee also noted that while the agency’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board has performed admirably, the agency has asked the public about possible ways to further improve its operations. Lee said that the agency would soon begin a proposed rulemaking process on possible changes, seeking public input. Lee's nomination to head the office was approved by the Senate Monday (see 1503100031).