AIPLA attacks USPTO sequestration

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

AIPLA attacks USPTO sequestration

AIPLA president Jeff Lewis has written to the Office of Management and Budget protesting against the application of sequestration to the USPTO

The letter, sent on Tuesday to OMB director Sylvia Mathews Burwell, claims that applying sequestration will significantly reduce the USPTO’s funding at a critical stage in the implementation of the AIA.

Lewis, speaking on behalf of AIPLA’s 15,000 members, noted that the USPTO depends entirely on user fee collections to fund its services.

“It is vitally important for the USPTO to have full access to all its fee collections, to be able to do the best job possible to help secure and maintain our intellectual property system as a key economic driver to attract and protect investment in new technology.”

He said that recent progress in reducing the backlog of applications, which has partly been achieved by hiring more examiners, developing new IT systems and establishing more effective administrative processes, is likely to be undermined by the confiscation of USPTO funds.

“Any delay in these improvements represents a major step back from the commitment of the Administration to the AIA and a fundamental challenge to the innovation and job creation these improvements represent.”

Under former USPTO director David Kappos, who left the organisation in January after resigning from his post in November, the backlog was reduced by 20% despite a 5% average annual increase in patent applications. Over the last two years of his administration, Kappos increased the number of patent examiners by 30% to over 8,000.

Following the departure of Kappos, the USPTO is now being led by acting director Teresa Stanek Rea.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

A settlement between Philips and Transsion and a loss for AstraZeneca in the UK were also among the top talking points
Working with Harvey and Microsoft, the firm has been at the forefront of developing AI tools for its lawyers, and is now exploring new projects and business models
The Emotional Perception AI case, which centres on the patentability of an artificial neural network, will be heard next week
Developments included a court order related to InterDigital’s anti-anti-suit injunction against Disney, and clarification on recoverable costs
Partners at Foley Hoag examine how recent CJEU jurisprudence may serve as a catalyst for recalibrating US judicial reluctance to entertain foreign patent claims
International law firms have high hopes for their IP practices in Saudi Arabia, with many opening offices, but recruiting and retaining talent in the Kingdom presents unique challenges
Patrick Ogola joins us for our ‘Five minutes with’ series to discuss helping African entrepreneurs on the global stage, and explains why young lawyers should speak up
Heli Pihlajamaa, the EPO’s principal director for patent law and procedures, joins us to take stock of the unitary patent following its second anniversary
Kelly Thompson, chair of South African firm Adams & Adams, discusses self-belief, self-doubt, and the importance of saying yes
The renowned food brands were represented by a host of lawyers, including members of the firms’ IP teams
Gift this article