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<p class="MsoNormal">USPTO trademark examiners have been receiving the emails offering the “deferred resignation” option, so it is obvious that whoever originates the emails is not making that distinction. This is NOT a buy-out, as I’ve seen it described in
many places. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Further, I would submit that there is a lack of awareness in the new administration that the USPTO had a remote work policy starting many years ago.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:4.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">WUERSCH
</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;position:relative;top:-1.0pt;mso-text-raise:1.0pt">&</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"> GERING</span><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#262626">Thilo C. Agthe, Partner</span><span lang="DE-CH" style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#262626">Wuersch & Gering LLP | 100 Wall Street, 10th Fl. | New York, NY 10005
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE" style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#7F7F7F">Diese Nachricht und etwaige Anhnge enthalten vertrauliche Informationen und Daten, die Gegenstand des Anwaltsgeheimnisses sein knnen. Sie ist
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</span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:green">Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail!</span><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> E-trademarks <e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Ken Boone via E-trademarks<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, January 29, 2025 3:09 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> For trademark practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice. <e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Ken Boone <boondogles@hotmail.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [E-trademarks] USPTO employees offered buyouts to retire early to avoid having to return to the office<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;color:red">[<span style="text-transform:uppercase">CAUTION:</span> EXTERNAL EMAIL]</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">I am hesitant to comment, as I didn't expect the offered buyouts would apply to the USPTO. When I was still employed there (over 12 year ago), remote work was a pillar of their employment
philosophy - that the USPTO did NOT have the office space for the entire workforce in their new (since 2008?) Alexandria, VA office complex. I expected that the Trademark business area of the USPTO was planning to hire more employees in 2025 to address the
huge backlog in trademark processing. For the following paragraph from the OPM website, the
<span style="background:yellow">highlighted phrase</span> seemed significant - that maybe the trademark employees at the USPTO were intentionally not included in the offered buyouts? Who really knows? (Congressman Kaine of Virginia has indicated that the president
doesn't have the power to offer this buyout.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0C64C0">Deferred resignation is available to all full-time federal employees except for military personnel of the armed forces, employees of the U.S. Postal Service, those in positions
related to immigration enforcement and national security, and <span style="background:yellow">
those in any other positions specifically excluded by your employing agency</span>.</span></i><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0C64C0"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">I copied the remainder of this posting from
<a href="https://www.opm.gov/fork">https://www.opm.gov/fork</a>, as the content and format appeared to be preserved, at least in the draft version as I composed this reply. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.opm.gov/fork" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="240" height="125" style="width:2.5in;height:1.3in" id="_x0000_i1027" src="https://www.opm.gov/img/global/opm-seal-share.png"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Light",sans-serif"><a href="https://www.opm.gov/fork" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:none">Fork in the Road - U.S. Office of Personnel Management</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#666666">1) Return to Office: The substantial majority of federal employees who have been working remotely since Covid will be required to return to their physical offices
five days a week. Going forward, we also expect our physical offices to undergo meaningful consolidation and divestitures, potentially resulting in physical office relocations for a number of federal workers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#A6A6A6"><a href="http://www.opm.gov">www.opm.gov</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Fork in the Road</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#006FB5"><a href="https://www.opm.gov/fork/faq"><span style="color:#006FB5">Frequently Asked Questions</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Below is the email that was sent to federal employees on January 28, 2025 presenting a deferred resignation offer. If you did not respond to that email and wish to accept the deferred
resignation offer, you may do so by following these steps.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align:right"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">1)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Send an email to
<a href="mailto:hr@opm.gov">hr@opm.gov</a> from your government account. Only an email from your .gov or .mil account will be accepted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align:right"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">2)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Type the word "<b>Resign</b>" into the "Subject" line of the email. Hit "Send".<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Deferred Resignation Email to Federal Employees</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">January 28, 2025</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<div style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-bottom:12.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><br>
During the first week of his administration, President Trump issued a number of directives concerning the federal workforce. Among those directives, the President required that employees return to in-person work, restored accountability for employees who have
policy-making authority, restored accountability for senior career executives, and reformed the federal hiring process to focus on merit. As a result of the above orders, the reform of the federal workforce will be significant.<br>
<br>
The reformed federal workforce will be built around <b>four pillars</b>:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align:right"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">1)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Return to Office:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> The substantial majority of federal employees who have been working remotely since Covid will
be required to return to their physical offices five days a week. Going forward, we also expect our physical offices to undergo meaningful consolidation and divestitures, potentially resulting in physical office relocations for a number of federal workers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align:right"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">2)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Performance culture:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> The federal workforce should be comprised of the best America has to offer. We will insist
on excellence at every level — our performance standards will be updated to reward and promote those that exceed expectations and address in a fair and open way those who do not meet the high standards which the taxpayers of this country have a right to demand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">More streamlined and flexible workforce:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> While a few agencies and even branches of the military are likely to
see increases in the size of their workforce, the majority of federal agencies are likely to be downsized through restructurings, realignments, and reductions in force. These actions are likely to include the use of furloughs and the reclassification to at-will
status for a substantial number of federal employees.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align:right"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">4)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Enhanced standards of conduct:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> The federal workforce should be comprised of employees who are reliable, loyal,
trustworthy, and who strive for excellence in their daily work. Employees will be subject to enhanced standards of suitability and conduct as we move forward. Employees who engage in unlawful behavior or other misconduct will be prioritized for appropriate
investigation and discipline, including termination.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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Each of the pillars outlined above will be pursued in accordance with applicable law, consistent with your agency's policies, and to the extent permitted under relevant collective-bargaining agreements.<br>
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If you choose to remain in your current position, we thank you for your renewed focus on serving the American people to the best of your abilities and look forward to working together as part of an improved federal workforce. At this time, we cannot give you
full assurance regarding the certainty of your position or agency but should your position be eliminated you will be treated with dignity and will be afforded the protections in place for such positions.<br>
<br>
If you choose not to continue in your current role in the federal workforce, we thank you for your service to your country and you will be provided with a dignified, fair departure from the federal government utilizing a deferred resignation program. This program
begins effective January 28 and is available to all federal employees until February 6. If you resign under this program, you will retain all pay and benefits regardless of your daily workload and will be exempted from all applicable in-person work requirements
until September 30, 2025 (or earlier if you choose to accelerate your resignation for any reason). The details of this separation plan can be found below.<br>
<br>
Whichever path you choose, we thank you for your service to The United States of America.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">*********************************************************************<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><br>
Upon review of the below deferred resignation letter, if you wish to resign:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align:right"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">1)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Select “Reply” to this email. You must reply from your government account. A reply from an account other than your .gov or .mil account will not be accepted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align:right"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">2)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Type the word
<b>“Resign”</b> into the body of this reply email. Hit “Send”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><br>
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<b>THE LAST DAY TO ACCEPT THE DEFERRED RESIGNATION PROGRAM IS FEBRUARY 6, 2025.</b><br>
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Deferred resignation is available to all full-time federal employees except for military personnel of the armed forces, employees of the U.S. Postal Service, those in positions related to immigration enforcement and national security, and those in any other
positions specifically excluded by your employing agency.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">*********************************************************************<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">DEFERRED RESIGNATION LETTER<br>
January 28, 2025<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from employment with my employing agency, effective September 30, 2025. I understand that I have the right to accelerate, but not
extend, my resignation date if I wish to take advantage of the deferred resignation program. I also understand that if I am (or become) eligible for early or normal retirement before my resignation date, that I retain the right to elect early or normal retirement
(once eligible) at any point prior to my resignation date.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Given my impending resignation, I understand I will be exempt from any “Return to Office” requirements pursuant to recent directives and that I will maintain my current compensation
and retain all existing benefits (including but not limited to retirement accruals) until my final resignation date.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">I am certain of my decision to resign and my choice to resign is fully voluntary. I understand my employing agency will likely make adjustments in response to my resignation including
moving, eliminating, consolidating, reassigning my position and tasks, reducing my official duties, and/or placing me on paid administrative leave until my resignation date.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition during my remaining time at my employing agency. Accordingly, I will assist my employing agency with completing reasonable and customary
tasks and processes to facilitate my departure.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">I understand that my acceptance of this offer will be sent to the Office of Personnel Management (“OPM”) which will then share it with my agency employer. I hereby consent to OPM
receiving, reviewing, and forwarding my acceptance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Upon submission of your resignation, you will receive a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of your email. Any replies to this email shall be for the exclusive use of accepting
the deferred resignation letter. Any other replies to this email will not be reviewed, forwarded, or retained other than as required by applicable federal records laws.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Once your resignation is validly sent and received, the human resources department of your employing agency will contact you to complete additional documentation, if any.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">OPM is authorized to send this email under Executive Order 9830 and 5 U.S.C. 301, 1103, 1104, 2951, 3301, 6504, 8347, and 8461. OPM intends to use your response to assist in federal
workforce reorganization efforts in conjunction with employing agencies. See 88 Fed. Reg. 56058; 80 Fed. Reg. 72455 (listing routine uses). Response to this email is voluntary. Although you must respond to take advantage of the deferred resignation offer,
there is no penalty for nonresponse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white"><a href="https://www.opm.gov/about-us/"><span style="color:white">About OPM</span></a></span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white"><a href="https://www.opm.gov/information-management/freedom-of-information-act/"><span style="color:white">FOIA</span></a></span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">__________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Ken Boone<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"> E-trademarks <<a href="mailto:e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com">e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
on behalf of Carl Oppedahl via E-trademarks <<a href="mailto:e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com">e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, January 29, 2025 12:51 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> for trademark practitioners <<a href="mailto:e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com">e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Carl Oppedahl <<a href="mailto:carl@oppedahl.com">carl@oppedahl.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [E-trademarks] USPTO employees offered buyouts to retire early to avoid having to return to the office</span>
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p>See <a href="https://blog.oppedahl.com/uspto-employees-offered-buyouts-to-retire-early-to-avoid-having-to-return-to-the-office/">
blog article</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
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