By
Sarah Fendrick —

The
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has created a PCT task force to explore methods for improving the Office's
role as a Receiving Office, an International Searching Authority (ISA), and an
International Preliminary Examination Authority (IPEA).  To support the newly
created task force, a public meeting is being held on January 13, 2010 from 2
p.m. to 5 p.m. (EST) to solicit public opinions on improvement of the USPTO's
efficiency, operation, and utilization of the PCT.  The Office announced the meeting in a Federal Register notice (74 Fed. Reg. 65101) published on December 9, 2009.

To
facilitate improvement of the PCT system, the USPTO is soliciting public
comment on overall change of the PCT system, the advantages and disadvantages
of the PCT system versus direct foreign filing, contracting out international
searching for international applications, potential use of worksharing
mechanisms, and possible improvements in the USPTO's role as a Receiving Office.

The
January 13th meeting will be made available via webcast with
details to be posted on the USPTO website.  Written comments submitted in advance of the meeting and a list of the
meeting participants and their associations will be made available on the USPTO's website prior to the meeting.