On March 11, 2024, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced the establishment of an Office of Public Engagement (OPE), which aims to "advance the agency's mission to enhance participation in the innovation ecosystem by strengthening outreach to and support for the U.S. community."

The OPE will operate on par with the patent and trademark departments and will involve the consolidation of some existing offices, including the four regional offices of the USPTO.

The three main offices comprising the OPE are:

1. Regional Offices, consisting of four main regional offices and two regional outreach offices (with another outreach office planned to be established in Atlanta in 2025).

2. Strategic Engagement Office, composed of the Customer Experience Department and the Inclusive Innovation Initiative Committee.

3. Community Engagement Office, including Community Outreach Office Programs, Public Resources Department, Innovation Outreach Department, Student and Learner Department, and Teacher and Educator Department.

Broader Adjustments

According to a press release issued by the USPTO on the 11th, the U.S. Congress also approved a "broader agency restructuring plan," which includes elevating the cybersecurity department to the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO); upgrading the Office of Government Affairs (OGA) from the Office of Policy and International Affairs (OPIA) to a standalone operational unit; elevating the design team to the Patent Department and appointing a new Deputy Commissioner for Design Patent Operations.

The agency also recently established a separate design patent standard (requiring applicants to participate in the current registration review) "and modified scientific and technical requirements." At the time, USPTO Director Kathi Vidal stated that the increasing number of design patent applications received by the agency "...reflects the importance of design protection to industry and our economy."

Vidal further stated in a declaration, "This adjustment plan will ensure that our agency can fulfill our mission in the best possible way, as we strive to improve efficiency and strengthen services to the public."

The OPE commenced operations on March 10th. Scott Ewalt, a senior executive at the agency, will serve as the interim Chief Public Engagement Officer, reporting to Vidal, until a permanent leader is selected.

Ewalt previously served as the Deputy Chief Policy Officer responsible for operations in the agency's Office of Policy and International Affairs, as well as the Budget Execution Director in the Planning and Budget Office reporting to the Chief Financial Officer. Prior to his tenure at the agency, he also served as the Acting Executive Director of the Business Management Office reporting to the Chief Information Officer at the Department of Homeland Security, and as the Acting Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce.