USPTO’s Remote Work Program Faces Potential Rapid Dismantling Under New Federal Guidelines
Patent – Patently-O 2025-01-28
Summary:
by Dennis Crouch
Last week, I wrote about the twin challenges facing the USPTO: a return-to-office mandate and a hiring freeze that could significantly impact patent operations. Today’s joint memorandum from OMB and OPM provides a rapid timeline for implementing these changes, with agencies required to submit detailed implementation plans by February 7th, 2025. [OMB OPM Come Home Memo].
The USPTO must develop a comprehensive plan addressing not just space and staffing, but also the “risks, barriers, and resource constraints” that could prevent expeditious return to in-person work. While patent examiners await official word from agency leadership about their specific situations, the clock is ticking on what could be the most significant operational change at the USPTO in decades.
As someone who practiced 20 years ago — at a time when USPTO examiner morale was low and the agency had difficulty recruiting quality candidates — I recognize that things are so much better today. (Do you agree?). For those of us outside the USPTO, now is the time to voice support both for the examiner community and uninterrupted USPTO operations — especially if you can provide Dir. Stewart with evidence that will aid efforts to water-down the negative effect of these orders.