USPTO successes bright in a dark year! By J M Faier, M.P.P., M.B.A., J.D. (USPTO Regn. No. 56,731) jmfaier@faier.com. T: 312-382-9400.

The USPTO issued it’s 2020 performance report. You can read it at USPTO annual reports | USPTO. The surprises are that in a Pandemic year that we still see a 9.6 percent increases in applications. The squawk at INTA related to the tougher position on audits and requirements for a U.S. attorney. The PTO expressed at INTA last year its frustration with foreign filers who falisy filings such as specimens. The US counsel rule is a response to that problem as the Office wants a way to go after those persons making those false filings.

-All-electronic processing of trademark applications rose to 88.7%, leading to more efficient processing, fewer errors, and more cost-effective transactions for USPTO customers.

-The gains made in efficiency enabled Trademarks to meet pendency and quality performance goals for the 15^th straight year, even as applications increased by 9.6% and operations shifted dramatically. The USPTO issued over 400,000 trademark registrations this year.

-The Trademark Assistance Center answered 128,370 calls, a 10% increase over the prior year, and responded to 29,246 emails.

-The organization advanced a number of initiatives to mitigate suspicious filings, fraudulent filings and specimens, and counterfeit products, including a joint anti-counterfeiting campaign with the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), post-registration audits to validate marks in use, and a new U.S. counsel rule that requires U.S.-based representation for applicants, registrants, or parties to a trademark proceeding before the USPTO.

Happy and Healthy New Year. JMF.