USPTO Sets Record Low Allowance and Error Rates

According to statistics released by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, last year's 54% patent allowance rate also was the lowest on record. Last year also saw the lowest patent allowance error rate -- 3.5% -- in over 20 years.

On February 5, 2007, it was also announced that the fiscal year 2008 budget request for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is $1.916 billion. The proposed budget recommends "full access to the agency's anticipated fee collections," i.e. no fee diversion. In FY 2008, the USPTO anticipates hiring an additional 1,200 patent examiners and to continue expanding the agency's award-winning telework efforts.