legislation: 104-s-1458
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| 104-s-1458 | 104 | s | 1458 | Patent and Trademark Office Reform Act of 1995 | Commerce | 1995-12-07 | 1995-12-07 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ] | NJ | D | L000123 | 0 | TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Patent and Trademark Corporation Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions Patent and Trademark Office Reform Act of 1995 - Title I: Patent and Trademark Corporation - Replaces specified provisions governing the Patent and Trademark Office with provisions establishing the Patent and Trademark Corporation as a wholly owned Government corporation within the Department of Commerce. Requires the Corporation to maintain an office in the District of Columbia metropolitan area. Provides appropriate Corporation powers and duties with respect to the granting and issuing of patents and the registration of trademarks, as well as related activities. Vests Corporation management in the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, appointed by the President, with specified duties and responsibilities. Directs the Commissioner to appoint a Deputy Commissioner for Patents, a Deputy Commissioner for Trademarks, and an Inspector General. Exempts: (1) the Corporation from any administratively or statutorily imposed limitations on positions or personnel; and (2) Corporation personnel from various Federal employment authorities and requirements, including provisions governing employee classification, performance appraisals, and pay rates. Includes such employees under Federal provisions relating to retirement and health and life insurance. Requires all officers and employees of the Patent and Trademark Office to become officers and employees of the Corporation on the effective date of this Act. Provides other employee and Office transition provisions. Prohibits Corporation officers and employees, during their appointments and for one year thereafter, from applying for or acquiring any patent issued by the Corporation. Establishes an Advisory Board of the Corporation to review and report annually to the President and specified congressional committees on the Corporation's policies, goals, performance, budget, and user fees and to advise the Commissioner. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) suits by and against the Corporation; (2) revised membership and duties of the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences; (3) a required annual Corporation management report; (4) the prohibited use of the Corporation's name; (5) receipts, expenditures, and borrowing authority of the Corporation; (6) annual audit requirements; (7) the transfer to the Corporation of Department of Commerce functions, powers, duties, and assets; (8) transition requirements; and (9) technical and conforming amendments. (Sec. 109) Prohibits full-time equivalent Corporation positions from being eliminated in order to meet the requirements of the Federal Workforce Restructuring Act of 1994. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides for the separability of provisions of this Act. Makes this Act effective 180 days after its enactment. | 2025-08-21T20:14:20Z |