Patent and Trademark Fees for Fiscal Year 2000

   The Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks is authorized by 35 U.C.
41(f) and 15 U.C. 1113(a) to adjust ecertain fees annually to reflect
fluctuations in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). There will be no
adjustment to patent or trademark fees to reflect fluctuations in the
CPI for fiscal year 2000. However, the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)
is considering legislative changes to adjust several patent and
trademark fees, which could become effective in fiscal year 2000, to
reflect changes in costs among business line activities, products and
services. In addition, the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
entitled "Changes to Implement the Patent Business Goals" that was
published in the Federal Register at 63 Fed. Reg. 53530 (October 5,
1999) and in the Official Gazette of the Patent and Trademark Office at
1215 OG 87 (October 27, 1998) would establish several new fees if it
became a final rule. Future rule notices may also have an impact on
patent and trademark fees.
   Patent and trademark customers may wish to refer to the official PTO
Web site (www.uspto.gov) for the most current fee amounts. Official
notices of any fee changes will appear in the Federal Register and the
Official Gazette of the Patent and Trademark Office.
   Questions or comments concerning this notice should be forwarded to
Matthew Lee by telephone at (703) 305-8051, or by fax at (703) 305-8007.

August 20, 1999                                           Q. TODD DICKINSON
                                                 Acting Assistant Secretary
                                                            of Commerce and
                                             Acting Commissioner of Patents
                                                             and Trademarks