The USPTO plans to hire at least 60 patent examiners and 20 Patent Trial and Appeals Board (PTAB) judges in 2014 at a new location in San Jose, California. Since 2013, the USPTO has operated a temporary satellite office in Menlo Park, California. This week the USPTO announced plans to make the location permanent in a move to the the San Jose City Hall Building.
According to USPTO Deputy Director Teresa Stanek Rea: "A permanent office will allow us to attract additional intellectual property professionals who will work closely with regional entrepreneurs to process patent applications, reduce the backlog of unexamined patents, and speed up the overall process—creating good jobs and promoting American innovation."
The USPTO originally planned to open a Silicon Valley office in 2013, but delayed the opening due to budget cuts and sequestration. The USPTO already operates a satellite office in Detroit, and it also plans to open a satellite office in Denver in 2014.
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