The USPTO faces a substantial backlog of patent applications, currently at 826,736. Recent comments from former Deputy Director Derrick Brent highlight the urgency of increasing examination capacity to meet long-term goals. Compounded by a federal hiring freeze introduced during the Trump administration and challenges facing the Department of Government Efficiency, the USPTO's hiring initiatives aim to curb this backlog. The agency aims to hire over 850 examiners in FY 24, continuing efforts initiated after a pandemic-related decrease in patent filings, which exacerbated the backlog.
'The Office is now at an inflection point that requires us to build examination capacity to achieve our long-term pendency goals.' - Derrick Brent
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