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Hearing Hearing Date: December 7, 2016 2:00 pm 2154 Rayburn HOB

Time and Attendance Abuse at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Subject
Time and Attendance Abuse at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Date
December 7, 2016
Time
2:00 pm
Place
2154 Rayburn HOB

PURPOSE:

  • To provide an opportunity for members to understand the steps the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has taken and still need to take to prevent time and attendance abuse.

BACKGROUND:

  • In August 2015, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) was alerted to potential time and attendance abuse where a USPTO examiner committed at least 730 hours of time and attendance abuse, resulting in payment of $25,000 for hours not worked.
  • OIG conducted an agency-wide investigation and released its findings in an August 2016 report identifying over 288,000 unsupported hours equating to more than $18.3 million in potential waste.
  • OIG found USPTO did not fully address some recommendations issued in the 2015 report.

 

Witnesses and testimonies: The Honorable Russell Slifer

Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property
Deputy Director, United States Patent and Trademark Office

Document

Mr. David Smith

Acting Deputy Inspector General
U.S. Department of Commerce

Document

Ms. Pamela Schwartz

President
Patent Office Professional Association

Document

Mr. David Chu, Ph.D.

Panel Chair
National Academy of Public Administration

Document

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