USPTO Budget

Congress has set the USPTO’s budget at $1.3 billion for fy 2005.  According to the recently enacted Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005, all of the funding will be derived from fees paid to the Office.  If fees collected are less than the budgeted amount, then the budget “shall be reduced accordingly.”  Although not explicitly stated — if fees collected are greater than those spent, then excess funds will be returned to Congress.

Interestingly, of that money, $20 million is to be allocated to “protect United States intellectual property overseas.”  This will likely includes Mark Cohen’s foray into China.