USPTO Announces Government-Wide Intellectual Property Training Database

By: Mark R. Malek

In a press release issued last week, the USPTO, in cooperation with the Office of Intellectual Property Enforcement, announced the launching of an online databasewhere U.S. Government Agencies can post information about intellectual property rights training programs that they conduct around the world.

According to Director Kappos, “[t]he database is intended to facilitate more efficient use of limited IPR training resources by sharing training materials among U.S. government agencies, avoiding duplicative programs, and identifying IPR enforcement training deficiencies.”  Victoria Espinel, the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator expects that the “database will permit agencies to enhance the impact of their IPR training, by building on past programs and targeting U.S. government efforts on countries and topics where more training is needed.”

This is just a short update, but, personally, I am happy to see a little coordination among the various governmental entities that operate in the same space.  How do you think this came about?  I would bet that at some point, someone pretty high up in the ranks inquired about some sort of training when he/she found out that the training had just been put on by another agency and they were not informed of it.  Sounds like a “government operation” eh?  Hopefully, this will alleviate some various burdens on the government and one day (yes, I know this is a pipe dream) we will let the USPTO keep the fees that it generates in order to run an even more efficient operation.  If you are wondering, the answer is yes, I will always try to work into every article my anger at the government decision to skim money off the top of the USPTO.