The FY2005 budget proposed by the Bush administration apparently allocates all user fees collected by the PTO to the PTO. The end of fee diversion will provide the PTO with much-needed funds for various quality-improvement efforts, including hiring and training of Examiners, continuation of the electronification of processes and records, and the move to new facilities.
Keep in mind that the funds at issue are not tax dollars paid by the general public, but tax dollars paid by the innovators of the world via filing and other PTO fees.
The PTO notes that the proposed budget assumes approval of the currently proposed PTO fee schedule.
See the PTO press release here.
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Tags: fee diversion