Office of Public Engagement

The Office of Public Engagement (OPE) is responsible for advancing the USTPO's mission to increase participation in the innovation ecosystem and engage people on the purpose and value of intellectual property and resources available to bring innovation to impact. 

OPE strengthens the agency’s outreach to local and underresourced American communities by overseeing the strategy, promotion, and implementation of outreach, education, customer experience, and customer engagement activities across the USPTO. This coordinated effort allows the USPTO to impact a greater number of innovators and reach newer audiences.

OPE Offices, Divisions, and Programs 

Below is a brief description of how OPE's offices, divisions, and programs help to foster American innovation and entrepreneurship.

Regional Outreach Offices

The USPTO’s Regional Outreach Offices support the public engagement mission and goals of the USPTO by establishing and maintaining regional outreach connections with a variety of IP stakeholders through training and engagement activities. Regional Outreach Offices maintain, expand, and increase outreach activities to underresourced groups. The Regional Outreach Offices collaborate with all divisions of OPE to implement the USPTO engagement strategy to reach a variety of stakeholders across the nation.

Strategic Engagement Office

The Strategic Engagement Office (SEO) leads OPE and the USPTO in defining, monitoring, and guiding implementation of the USPTO’s engagement, outreach, education, and customer experience strategies. The SEO evaluates data and best practices and seeks input from the Regional Offices, Community Engagement Office, and USPTO business units to define an enterprise engagement strategy.

• Director: Vacant

Community Engagement Office

The Community Engagement Office (CEO) coordinates implementation of the USPTO engagement strategy across multiple programs reaching a variety of stakeholders though community outreach programs and public resources.

• Director: Vacant