The United States Patent Office
Public Advisory Committee Qualifications
Members of the committees are to be citizens of the United States and be suited to best serve the diverse users of the United States Patent Office. Members should represent both small and large entities and no less than 25% of committee members should represent small business entities such as non-profit organizations and individual inventors. Public Advisory Committee members should have knowledge and a background regarding finance, management, labor relations, science, technology and office automation.
Meetings
Meeting times are designated by the Chair and the Chair will decide the agenda of the meeting.
Duties
Members of public advisory committees are responsible for reviewing the policies, goals, performance, budget and user fees associated with the Patent Office. This is to be completed within 60 days of the end of each fiscal year. A report on those matter is to be prepared and sent to the Secretary of Commerce, the President and the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The report must also be published in the Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Access
Committee members are to have access to all documents within the Patent Office with the exception of personnel or privileged information regarding patent applications meant to be kept confidential.
Open Meetings
Meeting help by the public advisory committees are to be open to the public with the exception of meetings preceded by a vote to call for a private executive session to discuss confidential information.
Compensation
Members of the Patent Office committees are compensated for each day they work to attend meetings or conferences including travel time. Their pay is based on basic pay in effect for level III of the Executive Schedule.
