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<p>Thank you Don for posting. As the sponsor of this and a dozen
other intellectual property practitioner listservs, I will share
my own feeling about this particular topic. You are quite right
that the collegiality of this listserv is precious and important.
Balanced against this is the reality that all of our livelihoods
are tied closely to things that happen at the USPTO. I will
invite listserv members to continue to discuss this particular
topic, while doing the best we can to minimize as best one can the
risk of political polarization in any part of the discussion.</p>
<p>Yes it is a simple fact that if the USPTO management were to try
to bring an end to work-from-home, it would simply fail, for many
reasons. One very simple factual reason is that there are not
enough chairs and benches in the USPTO office buildings to provide
places for the WFH employees to sit if they were all to start
reporting to work at the office in person.</p>
<p>I recognize that there surely are members of this listserv who
voted for the newly inaugurated president just as other members of
this listserv did not vote for the newly inaugurated president.
Hopefully we can find ways to monitor the continued developments
about this particular Executive Order, as it relates to the USPTO,
in discussions that can be nearly purely factual, doing our best
to try to avoid needlessly getting into the broader political
polarization that affects every one of us every day.</p>
<p>I probably did not express these thoughts very well, for which I
apologize in advance. But I hope we can avoid polarizing words
and tones while discussing developments at the USPTO.</p>
<p>Carl<br>
</p>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 1/21/2025 2:40 PM, Don Stout via
E-trademarks wrote:<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>What is refreshing about this
<span class="SpellE">listserve</span> is the collegiality
and advice we share concerning trademark prosecution
matters, without getting into the mud of national politics.<span>
</span>I ask that we stay in the trademark lane and keep
things as politics-free as possible.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Thanks.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Best Regards,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Don Stout</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Stout, Uxa & Buyan, LLP</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>23172 Plaza Pointe Drive, Suite 110</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>949-450-1764 fax</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Email: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:dstout@patlawyers.com">dstout@patlawyers.com</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>This message and/or attachment(s)
contains information which may be confidential and
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<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span>From:</span></b><span>
E-trademarks
<a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com"><e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com></a> <b>On
Behalf Of </b>Laura Geyer via E-trademarks<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, January 21, 2025 1:31 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> For trademark practitioners. This is not for
laypersons to seek legal advice.
<a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com"><e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com></a><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Laura Geyer <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:lgeyer@ndgallilaw.com"><lgeyer@ndgallilaw.com></a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [E-trademarks] PTO abandoning remote
work? Note Federal telework Act</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kevin:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That one, the briefs and amici were already
ready to go before the election. I\u2019ve linked the ACLU brief
here, and also there are 18 state attys general who brought
suit separately, along with San Francisco and the District of
Colombia.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ending birthright citizenship cannot be
done by EO. That at least is straightforward. It has to be
done by Amendment to the Constitution.
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a
href="https://www.aclu.org/cases/new-hampshire-indonesian-community-support-v-donald-j-trump?document=Complaint"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://www.aclu.org/cases/new-hampshire-indonesian-community-support-v-donald-j-trump?document=Complaint</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">L</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span>Laura Talley Geyer</span></b><span>
|
</span><b><span>Of Counsel</span></b><span>
</span><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span>ND Galli Law LLC</span></b><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>1200 G Street, N.W., Ste 800</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Washington, DC 20005</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Tel: (202) 599-9019 (direct)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><a
href="https://ndgallilaw.com/laura-geyer/"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://ndgallilaw.com/laura-geyer/</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><a href="https://ndgallilaw.com/"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://ndgallilaw.com/</a></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span>From:</span></b><span>
E-trademarks <<a
href="mailto:e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Kevin Grierson via E-trademarks<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, January 21, 2025 4:17 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> For trademark practitioners. This is not for
laypersons to seek legal advice. <<a
href="mailto:e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Kevin Grierson <<a
href="mailto:kgrierson@cm.law" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">kgrierson@cm.law</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [E-trademarks] PTO abandoning remote
work? Note Federal telework Act</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span>EXTERNAL EMAIL</span></b></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">The current administration has issued an
executive order that appears to directly contradict the 14<sup>th</sup>
amendment\u2019s birthright citizenship clause, so I don\u2019t think
the fact that the PTO\u2019s telework system is enabled by
legislation is going to stop them. That said, I would guess
that either the union or an individual who was told they
couldn\u2019t telework any more would have standing to sue to
stop the order, but given the squishiness of the actual
order, I\u2019m not sure it will be actionable until someone is
told they can\u2019t work from home any more.</p>
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<p><b><span>Kevin Grierson</span></b><b><span>\u200b</span></b><b><span>\u200b</span></b><b><span>\u200b</span></b><b><span>\u200b</span></b><b><span></span></b></p>
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<p><span>Partner</span></p>
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<p><b><i><span><a
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target="_blank"
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span>From:</span></b><span>
E-trademarks <<a
href="mailto:e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Catherine Goe via E-trademarks<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, January 21, 2025 3:52 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> for trademark practitioners <<a
href="mailto:e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Catherine Goe <<a
href="mailto:goecat@gmail.com"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">goecat@gmail.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [E-trademarks] PTO abandoning remote
work? Note Federal telework Act</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
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<span>EXTERNAL EMAIL</span></p>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>There's more than meets the
eye here. See the link below for "History,
Legislation & Reports" from U.S. Office of
Personnel Management re: the Federal telework Act. </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Born of the invention of
enabling technology. Note long History, rationale
and benefits sought, e.g., cost cutting..</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Congressional action required
to negate legislation which is the apparent intent
of the Executive Order?</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>And, assuming there are
grounds to challenge the Executive Order, who
could/would bring such an action? </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Cat Goe, TM Paralegal</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><a
href="https://www.opm.gov/telework/history-legislation-reports/"
moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://www.opm.gov/telework/history-legislation-reports/</a> </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">---------- Forwarded message
---------<br>
From: <strong><span>Dan Feigelson via E-trademarks</span></strong>
<<a href="mailto:e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com"
moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
Date: Tue, Jan 21, 2025 at 3:08<span>\u202f</span>PM<br>
Subject: Re: [E-trademarks] PTO abandoning remote
work?<br>
To: For trademark practitioners. This is not for
laypersons to seek legal advice. <<a
href="mailto:e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com"
moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
Cc: Dan Feigelson <<a
href="mailto:djf@iliplaw.com"
moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">djf@iliplaw.com</a>></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<br>
<span><img width="1" height="1" id="_x0000_i1025"
moz-do-not-send="true"></span></p>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">I don't do TM work (not sure
how I got on this list), but I can say that from
the patent side, they completely screwed up with
the offices in Detroit, Denver and San Jose.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">What they SHOULD have done,
and SHOULD do, is assign the entirety of each
art unit to one of their physical offices, and
require employees to physically show up for
work. It would vastly improve examination
quality. For example, all of group 1600 (which
examines inter alia pharmaceuticals) should be
physically in the same office. I don't care if
it's Alexandria or one of the other three, but
put them all in one physical office. It would
improve training, and it would allow for better
retention of institutional memory, which would
lead to more uniform and better examination.
</p>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">That's not what they did, and
I doubt that's what they're going to do. I
suspect the bean counters look only at the cost
of rent of physical office space, and not at the
cost to the public of poor patent examination (a
cost which is difficult to quantify in any
event). And as mentioned earlier in this thread,
there's the union, which opposes any changes,
and people who don't want to move, which is
understandable in the short-term, but not
something the PTO should be factoring in. (It's
great to be a monopoly and not have to worry
about whether or not you're giving the public
you serve the best possible service.)
</p>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">No idea if the same can be
said for TM examination. </p>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Dan</p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Tue, Jan 21, 2025 at 9:25<span>\u202f</span>PM
Edward Timberlake via E-trademarks <<a
href="mailto:e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com"
target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
wrote:</p>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Also, for anybody
not familiar:</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>The word
"telework" perhaps tends to bring to
mind a situation where there's a
physical building that can house all of
the employees but where (at least some
of) the employees may have the option of
working from elsewhere. </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>The USPTO has no
such building. </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>If all of the
employees were required physically to
come to Alexandria, there'd be nowhere
for (most of) them to work. </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">-- <br>
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target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
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