USPTO is successfully balancing its resources with the projected rate of trademark applications – this depends on narrowed responsibility and duties

The USPTO's strategic goal to “promote the efficient delivery of reliable IP rights” recognizes the importance of innovation as the foundation of American economic growth and global competitiveness. Toward this end, the USPTO is committed to continuously improving trademark quality, as well as the accuracy and reliability of the trademark register. The agency will continue equipping trademark examining attorneys with updated tools, procedures, and clarifying guidance to effectively examine all applications. The USPTO will also retire legacy systems and integrate the use of emerging technologies to streamline work processes for greater efficiencies; adjust staffing levels; and refine core duties to ensure its ability to meet significant changes in filing volumes and a variety of improper filing behaviors.

The USPTO is also committed to improving trademark application pendency. The agency recognizes that applying for trademark registration is a key step for creators, entrepreneurs, and established brand owners as they move from generating ideas for new products and services to commercializing the resulting innovations in the marketplace. The USPTO is focused on incentivizing creativity and product innovation by removing unnecessary impediments or delays in securing IP rights, thereby bringing goods and services to impact for the public good more quickly.

The agency's recent trademark pendency challenge is the result of several years of sustained increases in trademark application filings punctuated by an unprecedented, year-long influx during FY 2021 that created a significant examination backlog. In addressing these challenges, the USPTO will: (1) reevaluate its operating posture to maximize efficiency; (2) set data-driven pendency goals; (3) realign the trademark workforce to maintain stability during workload fluctuations and optimize pendency goals; and (4) use available technology solutions to streamline and automate trademark work processes.

The agency is working diligently to balance timely examination with trademark quality. Improvements include the deployment of a new browser-based, end-to-end examination system (TM Exam) designed to improve examination quality and efficiency, and establishment of a dedicated Trademark Academy to improve the training experience for new examiners.