U.S. Patent and Trademark Office can be part of a 'historic economic recovery,' she says
Under a 2011 law that is designed to accelerate the processing of patent applications, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is supposed to open three satellite offices. It already has announced plans to open up the first office in Detroit.
U.S. Patent and Trademark OfficeSen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., in a letter signed by seven of her eight Louisiana congressional colleagues, asks the Patent and Trademark Office to consider opening up one of the two remaining satellite offices in New Orleans. "In locating a satellite office in New Orleans, USPTO has the unique opportunity to serve as a key driver of this historic economic recovery," according to the letter, alluding to progress since hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the 2010 BP oil spill.
"A satellite office in New Orleans would be a logical and efficient hub focused on innovation and commerce in the Gulf South Region." Signing Landrieu's letter were Sen. David Vitter, R-La., and Reps. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans; Jeff Landry, R-New Iberia; Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge and Rodney Alexander, R-Quitman. Rep. John Fleming, R-Minden, didn't sign the letter.
Bruce Alpert can be reached at balpert@timespicayune.com or 202.450.1406. Jonathan Tilove can be reached at jtilove@timespicayune.com or 202.450.1404.