By
Donald Zuhn —

In
a notice published in the Federal Register earlier this month (75 Fed. Reg.
39493), the U.S. Patent
and Trademark Office announced that its draft strategic plan for FY 2010–2015
has been made available for public review and comment.  The Office notes that the plan is a
revision of the FY 2007–2012 strategic plan; both the 2007-2012 and 2010-2015
plans can be viewed here.  The draft plan for 2010-2015, which
numbers 76 pages, includes the USPTO's mission statement, vision statement, and
a description of the strategic goals, objectives, and significant actions that
the USPTO plans to take in order to accomplish its mission and achieve its
vision over the next five years.  Among
the goals outlined in the draft plan are to optimize patent quality and timeliness
and provide domestic and global leadership to improve intellectual property
policy, protection, and enforcement worldwide.

The
notice states that the Office would like to receive input on the draft strategic plan from a wide range of
organizations (both national and international), public bodies, and other
stakeholders, and is especially encouraging individuals and entities holding or
dealing with intellectual property, and USPTO employees, to provide their views
and suggestions.  The deadline for
submitting written comments regarding the draft strategic plan was originally
July 26th, but in a press release
posted on the USPTO website last week, the Office announced that the period for
receiving public comments had been extended until August 2nd.  Written comments regarding the draft
plan should be sent by e-mail to strategicplan@uspto.gov,
or by mail addressed to:  The USPTO
Strategic Plan Coordinator, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313–1450, marked to
the attention of Candice Goodman.